Phosphor and method for producing the phosphor

ABSTRACT

A phosphor is specified. The phosphor has the general molecular formula:(MA)a(MB)b(MC)c(MD)d(TA)e(TB)f(TC)g(TD)h(TE)i(TF)j(XA)k(XB)l(XC)m(XD)n:E. In this case, MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals, MB is selected from a group of divalent metals, MC is selected from a group of trivalent metals, MD is selected from a group of tetravalent metals, TA is selected from a group of monovalent metals, TB is selected from a group of divalent metals, TC is selected from a group of trivalent metals, TD is selected from a group of tetravalent metals, TE is selected from a group of pentavalent elements, TF is selected from a group of hexavalent elements, XA is selected from a group of elements which comprises halogens, XB is selected from a group of elements which comprises O, S and combinations thereof, -E=Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn, XC═N and XD=C. The following furthermore hold true: a+b+c+d=t; e+f+g+h+i+j=u; k+l+m+n=v; a+2b+3c+4d+e+2f+3g+4h+5i+6j−k−2l−3m−4n=w; 0.8≤t≤1; 3.5≤u≤4; 3.5≤v≤4; (−0.2)≤w≤0.2 and 0≤m&lt;0.875 v and/or v≥l&gt;0.125 v.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/302,748, filed on Nov. 19, 2018, which is a National Stage of PCT application No. PCT/EP2017/070329 filed on Aug. 10, 2017, which claims priority from German application No. 10 2016 121 692.5 filed on Nov. 11, 2016 and from German application No. 10 2016 114 993.4 filed on Aug. 12, 2016, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments relate to a phoshor and to a method for producing a phosphor.

BACKGROUND

Phosphors which can be efficiently excited with ultraviolet, blue or green primary radiation and have an efficient emission in the blue, green, yellow, red or deep-red spectral range are of very great interest for the production of white and colored light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Such so-called conversion LEDs are used for many applications, for example for general lighting, display backlighting, signage, in automobiles and in numerous further consumer products. In order to obtain an increase in efficiency, a higher robustness, a better color quality, color space coverage and/or color fidelity of the conversion LEDs, in order firstly to improve the applications and secondly to extend the application spectrum of the conversion LEDs, there is great demand for new phosphors.

Known phosphors having an emission in the green to red spectral range with a relatively small full width at half maximum (FWHM) are, for example, EAS:Eu or EAGa₂S₄:Eu (EA=alkaline earth metals). However, these phosphors are not very robust and exhibit a temperature-dependent decrease in the intensity of the emitted radiation (thermal quenching).

Nitridosilicates and nitridoalumosilicates of the formula M₂Si₅N₈:Eu, MAlSiN₃:Eu or MM′Si₂Al₂N₆:Eu where M, M′=Mg, Ca, Sr or M, M′=Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba emit in the orange to red spectral range and are very efficient and stable. What is disadvantageous about these phosphors is the relatively large full width at half maximum of the emission band, their expensive starting materials and a complex production method. In some instances, these phosphors are also not resistant to moisture.

Garnets of the formula A₃B₅O₁₂:Ce (A=rare earth metal, B═Al, Ga) and their derivatives emit in the green and yellow spectral range and have a high resistance and a high conversion efficiency. What is disadvantageous about these phosphors is the relatively large full width at half maximum of the emission band and limited adjustability of the emission wavelength. In this regard, an emission in the red spectral range cannot be achieved, for example.

Orthosilicates and oxonitridoorthosilicates of the formula M₂SiO₄:Eu, M_(2−x−a)RE_(x)Eu_(a)SiO_(4−x)N_(x) or M_(2−x−a)RE_(x)Eu_(a)Si_(1−y)O_(4−x−2y)N_(x) (M=Sr, Ba, Ca, Mg; RE=rare earth metal) emit radiation in the green to orange spectral range. The main disadvantages of these phosphors are a relatively large full width at half maximum of the emission band and a limited adjustability of the emission wavelength; an emission in the red spectral range cannot be achieved, for example. Moreover, the phosphors exhibit a thermal quenching behavior and are not very robust.

Oxonitridosilicates and SiAlONs of the formula MSi₂O₂N₂:Eu, Si_(6-z)Al_(z)O_(z)N_(8-z):RE or Si_(6-x)Al_(z)O_(y)N_(8-y):RE_(z) (RE=rare earth metal) emit radiation in the blue to yellow spectral range. The main disadvantages of these phosphors are a relatively large full width at half maximum of the emission band and a limited adjustability of the emission wavelength. Moreover, the phosphors in some instances are not very efficient and stable and are expensive to produce inter alia owing to expensive starting materials.

Nitridoaluminates of the formula MLiAl₃N₄:Eu (M=Ca, Sr) emit in the deep-red spectral range and have a high radiation stability and a high conversion efficiency. A limited adjustability of the emission wavelength is disadvantageous; a narrowband emission in the green and yellow spectral range cannot be achieved, for example. Moreover, these phosphors are expensive to produce and moreover in some instances are not resistant to moisture influences.

SUMMARY

The object of the present disclosure is to specify phosphors which can be efficiently excited by means ultraviolet, blue or green primary radiation and have an efficient emission in the blue, green, yellow, red and/or deep-red spectral range. A further object is to specify a method for producing phosphors which can be carried out cost-effectively and simply.

The objects are achieved by means of a phosphor and a method for producing a phosphor as claimed in the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and developments of the present disclosure are specified in the respective dependent claims.

A phosphor is specified. The phosphor has the general molecular formula: (MA)_(a)(MB)_(b)(MC)_(c)(MD)_(d)(TA)_(e)(TB)_(f)(TC)_(g)(TD)_(h)(TE)_(i)(TF)_(j)(XA)_(k)(XB)_(l)(XC)_(m)(XD)_(n).

In this case, MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals, MB is selected from a group of divalent metals, MC is selected from a group of trivalent metals, MD is selected from a group of tetravalent metals, TA is selected from a group of monovalent metals, TB is selected from a group of divalent metals, TC is selected from a group of trivalent metals, TD is selected from a group of tetravalent metals, TE is selected from a group of pentavalent elements, TF is selected from a group of hexavalent elements, XA is selected from a group of elements which comprises halogens, XB is selected from a group of elements which comprises O, S and combinations thereof, XC═N and XD=C. The following furthermore hold true:

-   -   a+b+c+d=t;     -   e+f+g+h+i+j=u     -   k+l+m+n=v     -   a+2b+3c+4d+e+2f+3g+4h+5i+6j−k−2l−3m−4n=w     -   0.8≤t≤1     -   3.5≤u≤4     -   3.5≤v≤4     -   (−0.2)≤w≤0.2.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor comprises within its molecular formula at least Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn. Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn serve as activators of the phosphor which is responsible for the emission of radiation. The phosphor can thus have in particular the following formula: (MA)_(a)(MB)_(b)(MC)_(c)(MD)_(d)(TA)_(e)(TB)_(f)(TC)_(g)(TD)_(h)(TE)_(i)(TF)_(j)(XA)_(k)(XB)_(l)(XC)_(m)(XD)_(n):E, wherein E=Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn.

Here and hereinafter phosphors are described on the basis of molecular formulae. In the case of the specified molecular formulae it is possible for the phosphor to comprise further elements for instance in the form of impurities, wherein these impurities taken together should advantageously have at most a proportion by weight in the phosphor of at most 1 per mille or 100 ppm (parts per million) or 10 ppm.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the following holds true for the phosphor having the general molecular formula (MA)_(a)(MB)_(b)(MC)_(c)(MD)_(d)(TA)_(e)(TB)_(f)(TC)_(g)(TD)_(h)(TE)_(i)(TF)(XA)_(k)(XB)_(l)(XC)_(m)(XD)_(n) or (MA)_(a)(MB)_(b)(MC)_(c)(MD)_(d)(TA)_(e)(TB)_(f)(TC)_(g)(TD)_(h)(TE)_(i)(TF)_(j)(XA)_(k)(XB)_(l)(XC)_(m)(XD)_(n):E: 0≤m<0.875 v and/or v≥l>0.125 v.

The assignment of the elements to MA, MB, MC, MD, TA, TB, TC, TD, TE, TF is based in particular on the arrangement thereof within the crystal structures of the phosphors. In particular, in this case, within the crystal structures TA, TB, TC, TD, TE and/or TF are surrounded by XA, XB, XC and/or XD and the resultant structural units are linked via common corners and edges. The corner and edge linkage of the structural units results in particular in the formation of cavities or channels in which MA, MB, MC and/or MD are arranged. On account of this assignment, it is possible for the possible elements in MA, MB, MC, MD, TA, TB, TC, TD, TE and TF to overlap.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the following general molecular formula: (MA)_(a)(MB)_(b)(TA)_(e)(TB)_(f)(TC)_(g)(TD)_(h)(XC)_(m)(XB)_(l),

wherein

-   -   MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises         Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof,     -   MB is selected from a group of divalent metals which comprises         Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Mn, Eu, Yb, Ni, Fe, Co and combinations         thereof,     -   TA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises         Li, Na, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof,     -   TB is selected from a group of divalent metals which comprises         Mg, Zn, Mn, Eu, Yb, Ni and combinations thereof,     -   TC is selected from a group of trivalent metals which comprises         B, Al, Ga, In, Y, Fe, Cr, Sc, rare earths and combinations         thereof,     -   TD is selected from a group of tetravalent metals which         comprises Si, Ge, Sn, Mn, Ti, Zr, Hf, Ce and combinations         thereof,     -   XB is selected from a group of elements which comprises O, S and         combinations thereof,     -   XC═N     -   a+b=t     -   e+f+g+h=u     -   l+m=v     -   a+2b+e+2f+3g+4h−2l−3m=w     -   0.8≤t≤1     -   3.5≤u≤4     -   3.5≤v≤4     -   (−0.2)≤w≤0.2 and

0≤m<0.875 v and/or v≥l>0.125 v. The phosphor contains in particular within its molecular formula at least Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn and has in particular the molecular formula (MA)_(a)(MB)_(b)(TA)_(e)(TB)_(f)(TC)_(g)(TD)_(h)(XC)_(m)(XB)_(l):E where E=Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn. The following advantageously hold true:

-   -   MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises         Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs and combinations thereof,     -   MB is selected from a group of divalent metals which comprises         Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Eu and combinations thereof,     -   TA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises         Li, Na, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof,     -   TB is selected from a group of divalent metals which comprises         Eu,     -   TC is selected from a group of trivalent metals which comprises         B, Al, Ga, In and combinations thereof,     -   TD is selected from a group of tetravalent metals which         comprises Si, Ge, Sn, Mn, Ti and combinations thereof,     -   XB═O.

0≤m<0.875 v and/or v≥l>0.125 v means that the mol proportion of XC, that is to say nitrogen, in the phosphor is below 87.5 mol % relative to the total substance amount v of XA, XB, XC and XD and/or the molar proportion of XB, that is to say oxygen and/or sulphur, in the phosphor is above 12.5 mol % relative to the total substance amount v of XA, XB, XC and XD.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, MA, MB, MC, MD, TA, TB, TC, TD, TE and TF are the corresponding monovalent, divalent, trivalent, tetravalent, pentavalent or hexavalent cations. In other words, MA and TA have the oxidation number +1, MB and TB have the oxidation number +2, MC and TC have the oxidation number +3, MD and TD have the oxidation number +4, TE has the oxidation number +5 and TF has the oxidation number +6. XA, XB, XC and XD are, in particular, the anions of the corresponding elements. In this case, XA advantageously has the oxidation number −1, XB the oxidation number −2, XC, that is to say N, the oxidation number −3 and XD, that is to say C, the oxidation number −4.

WO 2013/175336 A1 describes a new family of red-emitting phosphors which have an emission having small values of the full width at half maximum. The phosphors disclosed therein have a proportion of at least 87.5% nitrogen and at most 12.5% oxygen relative to the total amount of anionic elements of the phosphor. In accordance with WO 2013/175336 A1, a higher oxygen content in the phosphors leads to unstable compounds. Consequently, phosphors having an oxygen content of more than 12.5% could not be isolated.

Here and hereinafter the full width at half maximum is understood to mean the spectral width at the level of half the maximum of the emission peak, FWHM for short. The emission peak is understood to mean the peak having the maximum intensity.

The inventors of the present disclosure have surprisingly established that a higher oxygen and/or sulfur proportion, that is to say an oxygen and/or sulfur proportion in the phosphor of more than 12.5 mol % relative to the total substance amount of anionic elements, or a lower nitrogen proportion, that is to say a nitrogen proportion in the phosphor of less than 87.5 mol % relative to the total substance amount of anionic elements, leads to very stable and efficient phosphors having a high quantum efficiency. The phosphors have a high absorptivity in the UV range to green range, in particular between 300 nm and 500 nm or between 300 nm and 460 nm, advantageously between 300 nm and 430 nm or 300 nm and 450 nm, and can thus be efficiently excited by a primary radiation in this wavelength range. The primary radiation can be converted completely (full conversion) or partly (partial conversion) into a radiation of longer wavelength, also called secondary radiation, by the phosphors.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, it advantageously holds true that: 0≤m<0.75 v or v≥l>0.25 v, 0≤m<0.625 v or v≥l>0.375 v. Particularly advantageously: 0≤m<0.5 v or v≥l>0.5 v, 0≤m<0.375 v or v≥l>0.625 v, 0≤m<0.25 v or v≥l>0.7 v, 0≤m<0.125 v or v≥l>0.875 v or m=0 or l=v.

The inventors have discovered that, surprisingly, with increasing oxygen and/or sulfur content or with decreasing nitrogen content, the peak wavelength of the phosphors shifts toward shorter wavelengths and moreover very stable phosphors result. As a result it is advantageously possible to correspondingly set the desired peak wavelength of the phosphor by varying the oxygen or nitrogen content. Moreover, the peak wavelength and/or the full width at half maximum of the phosphor can be varied by combinations or substitutions of the metals or elements MA, MB, MC, MD, TA, TB, TC, TD, TE, TF, XA, XC, XD and/or XB. A possibility has thus been found of providing phosphors which, in terms of their properties, in particular the peak wavelength and the full width at half maximum, can be adapted in a targeted manner for a corresponding application and in this case are surprisingly also still very stable. In particular, the phosphors can have very narrow values of the full width at half maximum, for example below 50 nm, below 30 nm or below 20 nm, which makes the phosphors interesting for many applications, for example for backlighting applications.

In the present case, “peak wavelength” denotes the wavelength in the emission spectrum at which the maximum intensity is present in the emission spectrum.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the following hold true for the phosphor having the molecular formula (MA)_(a)(MB)_(b)(MC)_(c)(MD)_(d)(TA)_(e)(TB)_(f)(TC)_(g)(TD)_(h)(TE)_(i)(TF)_(j)(XA)_(k)(XB)_(l)(XC)_(m)(XD)_(n):E:

a+b+c+d=1;

e+f+g+h+i+j=4;

k+l+m+n=4;

a+2b+3c+4d+e+2f+3g+4h+5i+6j−k−2l−3m−4n=0 and m<3.5 or l>0.5. This is therefore an electroneutral phosphor.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, it holds true that n=0, k=0, v=4 and m<3.5 and l>0.5. Then the phosphor thus has the following molecular formula: (MA)_(a)(MB)_(b)(MC)_(c)(MD)_(d)(TA)_(e)(TB)_(f)(TC)_(g)(TD)_(h)(TE)_(i)(TF)_(j) (XB)_(l)(XC)_(m):E. In this case, MA, MB, MC, MD, TA, TB, TC, TD, TE, TF, XC and XB are defined as above. In accordance with this embodiment, the phosphor comprises only nitrogen and oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur or nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen, advantageously only nitrogen and oxygen, as anions. However, this does not exclude the presence of further, including anionic, elements in the form of impurities. It advantageously holds true that m<3.0 and l>1.0; m<2.5 and l>1.5; m<2.0 and =l<2.0; m<1.5 and l>2.5; m<1.5 and l>2.5; m<1.0 and l>3.0; m<0.5 and l>3.5 or m=0 and l=4.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the general molecular formula (MA)_(a)(MB)_(b)(TA)_(e)(TD)_(h)(XB)_(l)(XC)_(m):E. In this case, the following advantageously hold true:

-   -   MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises         Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof. Particularly         advantageously, MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals         which comprises Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs and combinations thereof,     -   MB is selected from a group of divalent metals which comprises         Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Mn, Eu, Yb, Ni, Fe, Co and combinations         thereof. Particularly advantageously, MB is selected from a         group of divalent metals which comprises Mn, Eu, Yb and         combinations thereof. Very particularly advantageously, MB=Eu or         a combination of Eu and Mn and/or Yb,     -   TA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises         Li, Na, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof. Particularly         advantageously, TA is selected from a group of monovalent metals         which comprises Li, Na and combinations thereof. Very         particularly advantageously, TA=Li,     -   TD is selected from a group of tetravalent metals which         comprises Si, Ge, Sn, Mn, Ti, Zr, Hf, Ce and combinations         thereof. Particularly advantageously, TD is selected from a         group of tetravalent metals which comprises Si, Ge, Sn, Mn, Ti,         and combinations thereof. Very particularly advantageously,         TD=Si,     -   XB is selected from a group of elements which comprises O, S and         combinations thereof. Particularly advantageously, XB═O,     -   XC═N. The following furthermore hold true:     -   a+b=t,     -   e+h=u,     -   l+m=v,     -   a+2b+e+4h−2l−3m=w     -   0.8≤t≤1     -   3.5≤u≤4     -   3.5≤v≤4     -   (−0.2)≤w≤0.2     -   0≤m<0.875 v and/or v≤l>0.125 v and     -   E=Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn, advantageously E=Eu.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the general molecular formula (MA)_(a)(MB)_(b)(TA)_(e)(TD)_(h)(XB)_(l)(XC)_(m):E. In this case, the following hold true:

-   -   MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises         Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof.         Advantageously, MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals         which comprises Li, Na, K, Rb and combinations thereof,     -   MB is selected from a group of divalent metals which comprises         Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Mn, Eu, Yb, Ni, Fe, Co and combinations         thereof. It is advantageously selected from a group of divalent         metals which comprises Mn, Eu, Yb and combinations thereof.         Particularly advantageously, MB=Eu or a combination of Eu with         Mn and/or Yb,     -   TA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises         Li, Na, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof. Advantageously, TA is         selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises Li,         Na and combinations thereof. Particularly advantageously, TA=Li,     -   TD is selected from a group of tetravalent metals which         comprises Si, Ge, Sn, Mn, Ti, Zr, Hf, Ce and combinations         thereof. Advantageously, TD is selected from a group of         tetravalent metals which comprises Si, Ge, Sn, Mn, Ti, and         combinations thereof. Particularly advantageously, TD=Si,     -   XB is selected from a group of elements which comprises O, S and         combinations thereof. Advantageously, XB═O.     -   XC═N. The following furthermore hold true:     -   a+b=1;     -   e+h=4;     -   l+m=4;     -   a+2b+e+4h−2l−3m=0 and m<3.5 or l>0.5 and E=Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn,         advantageously E=Eu.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the general molecular formula (MA)_(a)(MB)_(b)(TA)_(e)(TC)_(g)(TD)_(h)(XB)_(l)(XC)_(m):E auf, wherein

-   -   MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises         Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof,     -   MB is selected from a group of divalent metals which comprises         Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Mn, Eu, Yb, Ni, Fe, Co and combinations         thereof,     -   TA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises         Li, Na, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof,     -   TC is selected from a group of trivalent metals which comprises         B, Al, Ga, In, Y, Fe, Cr, Sc, rare earths and combinations         thereof,     -   TD is selected from a group of tetravalent metals which         comprises Si, Ge, Sn, Mn, Ti, Zr, Hf, Ce and combinations         thereof,     -   XB is selected from a group of elements which comprises O, S and         combinations thereof,     -   XC═N     -   a+b=t     -   e+g+h=u     -   l+m=v     -   a+2b+e+3g+4h−2l−3m=w     -   0.8≤t≤1     -   3.5≤u≤4     -   3.5≤v≤4     -   (−0.2)≤w≤0.2 and

E=Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn. It advantageously holds true that: 0≤m<0.875 v and/or v≥l>0.125 v. In accordance with this embodiment, the phosphor comprises only nitrogen and oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur or nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen, advantageously only nitrogen and oxygen, as anions.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the general molecular formula (MA)_(a)(MB)_(b)(TA)_(e)(TC)_(g)(TD)_(h)(XB)_(l)(XC)_(m):E auf, wherein

-   -   MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises         Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof,     -   MB is selected from a group of divalent metals which comprises         Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Eu and combinations thereof,     -   TA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises         Li, Na, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof,     -   TC is selected from a group of trivalent metals which comprises         B, Al, Ga and combinations thereof,     -   TD is selected from a group of tetravalent metals which         comprises Si, Ge and combinations thereof,     -   XB═O,     -   XC═N     -   a+b=1     -   e+g+h=4     -   l+m=4     -   a+2b+e+3g+4h−2l−3m=0 and

E=Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn. Advantageously, m<3.5 or l>0.5. This is therefore an electroneutral phosphor comprising only nitrogen and oxygen as anions.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the general molecular formula (MA)_(a)(MB)_(b)(TA)_(e)(TC)_(g)(TD)_(h)(XB)_(l)(XC)_(m):E, wherein

-   -   MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises         Li, Na, K and combinations thereof,     -   MB is selected from a group of divalent metals which comprises         Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Eu and combinations thereof,     -   TA=Li,     -   TC=Al,     -   TD=Si,     -   XB═O,     -   XC═N     -   a+b=1     -   e+g+h=4     -   l+m=4     -   a+2b+e+3g+4h−2l−3m=0 and E=Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn, advantageously         E=Eu. Advantageously, m<3.5 or l>0.5. This is therefore an         electroneutral phosphor comprising only nitrogen and oxygen as         anions. The phosphor contains within its molecular formula at         least Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor is an oxide, that is to say that only oxygen is present as anionic element in the phosphor. The phosphor then has one of the following general molecular formulae: (MA)₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, (MA)₁(TA)_(3−x)(TD)_(1−x)(TB)_(x)(TC)_(x)(XB)₄:E, (MA)_(1−x′)(MB)_(x′)(TA)₃(TD)_(1−x)(TC)_(x)(XB)₄:E, (MA)_(1−x″)(MB)_(x″)(TA)_(3−x″)(TD)_(1−x″)(TB)_(2x″)(XB)₄:E, (MA)₁(TA)_(3−2z)(TB)_(3z)(TD)_(1−z)(XB)₄:E or (MA)₁(TA)₃(TD)_(1−2z′)(TC)_(z′)(TE)_(z′)(XB)₄:E, wherein

XB═O,

0≤x≤1, for example x=0, 0.1; 0.2; 0.3; 0.4; 0.5; 0.6; 0.7; 0.8; 0.9 or 1, advantageously 0<x<1, for example x=0.1; 0.2; 0.3; 0.4; 0.5; 0.6; 0.7; 0.8 or 0.9,

0≤x′≤1, for example x′=0, 0.1; 0.2; 0.3; 0.4; 0.5; 0.6; 0.7; 0.8; 0.9 or 1, advantageously 0<x′<1, for example x′=0.1; 0.2; 0.3; 0.4; 0.5; 0.6; 0.7; 0.8 or 0.9,

0≤x″≤1, for example x″=0, 0.1; 0.2; 0.3; 0.4; 0.5; 0.6; 0.7; 0.8; 0.9 or 1, advantageously 0<x<1, for example x′=0.1; 0.2; 0.3; 0.4; 0.5; 0.6; 0.7; 0.8 or 0.9,

0≤z≤1, advantageously z=0, 0.1; 0.2; 0.3; 0.4; 0.5; 0.6; 0.7; 0.8; 0.9 or 1, advantageously 0<z<1, for example z=0.1; 0.2; 0.3; 0.4; 0.5; 0.6; 0.7; 0.8 or 0.9,

0≤z′≤0.5, advantageously 0<z′<0.5, for example z′=0, 0.1; 0.2; 0.3 or 0.4,

and E is selected from a group comprising Eu, Ce, Yb, Mn and combinations thereof.

Here and hereinafter E can also be referred to as activator. The activator and in particular its surroundings in the host lattice are responsible for the luminescence, in particular the peak wavelength of the emission of the phosphor.

The metals or elements MA, MB, TA, TB, TC, TD, TE and/or XB form in the phosphors in particular the host lattice; in this case, E can partly replace lattice sites of the cationic elements MA, MB, TA, TB, TC, TD and/or TE, or occupy interstitial sites. In particular, in this case E occupies the lattice sites of MA. For charge balancing, the proportion of the further elements, for example that of TA and/or TD, may change.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor is an oxide or oxonitride, advantageously an oxonitride, and therefore has in its molecular formula only oxygen or oxygen and nitrogen as anionic elements. In this case, the phosphor can have one of the following general molecular formulae: (MA)_(1−y)(TB)_(y)(TA)_(3−2y)(TC)_(3y)(TD)_(1−y)(XB)_(4−4y)(XC)_(4y):E, (MA)_(1−y*)(MB)_(y*)(TA)_(3−2y*)(TC)_(y*)(TD)_(1−y*)(XB)_(4−4y*)(XC)_(4y*):E, (MA)₁(TA)_(3−y′)(TC)_(y′)(TD)₁(XB)_(4−2y′)(XC)_(2y′):E, (MA)₁(TA)_(3−y″)(TB)_(y″)(TD)₁(XB)_(4−y″)(XC)_(y″):E, (MA)_(1−w′″)(MB)_(w′″)(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)_(4−w′″)(XC)_(w′″):E, (MA)₁(TA)_(3−w′)(TC)_(2w′)(TD)_(1−w′)(XB)_(4−w′)(XC)_(w′):E or (MA)_(1−w″)(MB)_(w″)(TA)_(3−w″)(TD)_(1−w″)(TC)_(2w″)(XB)_(4−2w″)(XC)_(2w″):E,

wherein

XB═O,

0≤y≤1, for example y=0; 0.1; 0.2; 0.3; 0.4; 0.5; 0.6; 0.7; 0.8; 0.9 or 1, advantageously 0<y<0.875, for example y=0.1; 0.2; 0.3; 0.4; 0.5; 0.6; 0.7 or 0.8, very particularly advantageously 0≤y≤0.4,

0<y*<0.875 or advantageously 0<y*≤0.5, particularly advantageously 0<y*≤0.3, very particularly advantageously 0<y*≤0.1,

0≤y′≤2, for example y′=0, 0.1; 0.2; 0.3; 0.4; 0.5; 0.6; 0.7; 0.8; 0.9; 1.0; 1.1; 1.2; 1.3; 1.4; 1.5; 1.6; 1.7; 1.8; 1.9 or 2.0, advantageously 0<y′≤1.75, particularly advantageously 0≤y′≤0.9,

0≤y″≤3, for example y″=0, 0.1; 0.2; 0.3; 0.4; 0.5; 0.6; 0.7; 0.8; 0.9; 1.0; 1.1; 1.2; 1.3; 1.4; 1.5; 1.6; 1.7; 1.8; 1.9; 2.0; 2.1; 2.2; 2.3; 2.4; 2.5; 2.6; 2.7; 2.8; 2.9 or 3.0, advantageously 0<y″<3, particularly advantageously 0<y″≤1.9,

0≤w′″≤1, for example w′″=0, 0.1; 0.2; 0.3; 0.4; 0.5; 0.6; 0.7; 0.8; 0.9 or 1, advantageously 0<w′″<1,

0≤w′≤1, for example w′=0, 0.1; 0.2; 0.3; 0.4; 0.5; 0.6; 0.7; 0.8; 0.9 or 1, advantageously 0<w′<1,

0≤w″≤1, for example w″=0, 0.1; 0.2; 0.3; 0.4; 0.5; 0.6; 0.7; 0.8; 0.9 or 1, advantageously 0<w″<1, and E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Ce, Yb, Mn and combinations thereof.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Ce, Yb, Mn and combinations thereof. In particular, E is Eu^(3+,) Eu^(2+,) Ce^(3+,) Yb^(3+,) Yb²⁺ and/or Mn⁴⁺.

The metals or elements MA, MB, TA, TB, TC, TD, XC and/or XB form the host lattice in the phosphors; in this case, E can partly replace lattice sites of MA, MB, TA, TB, TC and/or TD, advantageously of MA, or occupy interstitial sites.

By using the activators Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn, in particular Eu or Eu in combination with Ce, Yb and/or Mn, it is possible for the color locus of the phosphor in the CIE color space, the peak wavelength λpeak thereof or the dominant wavelength λdom thereof, and the full width at half maximum to be set particularly well.

The dominant wavelength is a possibility for describing non-spectral (polychromatic) light mixtures by spectral (monochromatic) light that produces a similar hue perception. In the CIE color space, the line connecting a point for a specific color and the point CIE-x=0.333, CIE-y=0.333 can be extrapolated such that it meets the contour of the space at two points. The intersection point that is nearer to said color represents the dominant wavelength of the color as wavelength of the pure spectral color at this intersection point. The dominant wavelength is thus the wavelength that is perceived by the human eye.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the activator E can be present in mol % amounts of between 0.1 mol % and 20 mol %, 1 mol % and 10 mol %, 0.5 mol % and 5 mol %, 2 mol % and 5 mol %. Excessively high concentrations of E may lead to a loss of efficiency as a result of concentration quenching. Here and hereinafter, mol % indications for the activator E, in particular Eu, are understood in particular as mol % indications relative to the molar proportions of MA, MB, MC and MD in the respective phosphor.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has one of the following general molecular formulae: (MA)Li_(3−x)Si_(1−x)Zn_(x)Al_(x)O₄:E; (MA)Li_(3−x)Si_(1−x)Mg_(x)Al_(x)O₄:E; (MA)_(1−x′)Ca_(x′)Li₃Si_(1−x′)Al_(x′)O₄:E; (MA)_(1−x″)Ca_(x″)Li_(3−x″)Si_(1−x″)Mg_(2x″)O₄:E; (MA)Li_(3−2z)Mg_(3z)Si_(1−z)O₄:E; (MA)Li₃Si_(1−2z′)Al_(z′)P_(z′)O₄:E. In particular, MA, E, x, x′, x″, z and z′ are accorded the definitions disclosed above.

Proceeding from the phosphor of the molecular formula (MA)Li₃SiO₄:E, in accordance with at least one embodiment, LiSi can be at least partly replaced by ZnAl or MgAl and a phosphor of the formula (MA)Li_(3−x)Si_(1−x)Zn_(x)Al_(x)O₄:E or (MA)Li_(3−x)Si_(1−x)Mg_(x)Al_(x)O₄:E is obtained.

Proceeding from the phosphor of the molecular formula (MA)Li₃SiO₄:E in accordance with at least one embodiment, (MA)Si can be at least partly replaced by CaAl and a phosphor of the formula (MA)_(1−x′)Ca_(x′)Li₃Si_(1−x′)Al_(x′)O₄:E is obtained.

Proceeding from the phosphor of the molecular formula (MA)Li₃SiO₄:E in accordance with at least one embodiment, (MA)LiSi can be at least partly replaced by CaMg₂ and a phosphor of the formula (MA)_(1−x″)Ca_(x″)Li_(3−x″)Si_(1−x″)Mg_(2x)″O₄:E is obtained.

Proceeding from the phosphor of the molecular formula (MA)Li₃SiO₄:E in accordance with at least one embodiment, Li₂Si can be at least partly replaced by Mg₃ and a phosphor of the formula (MA)Li_(3−2z)Mg_(3z)Si_(1−z)O₄:E is obtained.

Proceeding from the phosphor of the molecular formula (MA)Li₃SiO₄:E in accordance with at least one embodiment, Si₂ can be at least partly replaced by AlP and a phosphor of the formula (MA)Li₃Si_(1−2z′)Al_(z′)P_(z′)O₄:E is obtained.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has one of the following general molecular formulae: (MA)_(1−y)Zn_(y)Li_(3−2y)Al_(3y)Si_(1−y)O_(4−4y)N_(4y):E (MA)_(1−y*)Ca_(y*)Li_(3−2y*)Al_(3y*)Si_(1−y*)O_(4−4y*)N_(4y*):E, (MA)_(1−y***)Sr_(y***)Li_(3−2y***)Al_(3y***)Si_(1−y***)O_(4−4y***)N_(4y***):E (MA)_(1−y**)Eu_(y**)Li_(3−2y**)Al_(3y**)Si_(1−y**)O_(4−4y**)N_(4y*):E (MA)Li_(3−y′)Al_(y′)SiO_(4−2y′)N_(2y′):E, (MA)Li_(3−y″)Mg_(y″)SiO_(4−y″)N_(y″):E, (MA)_(1−w′″)Ca_(w′″)Li₃SiO_(4−w′″)N_(w′″):E, (MA)Li_(3−w′)Al_(2w′)Si_(1−w′)O_(4−w′)N_(w′):E, (MA)_(1−w″)Ca_(w″)Li_(3−w′)Si_(1−w″)Al_(2w″)O_(4−2w″)N_(2w″):E.

In particular, MA, E, y, y*, y′, y″, w′″, w′ and w″ are accorded the definitions disclosed above. It furthermore holds true that 0<y**≤1, advantageously 0<y**<0.875 or 0<y**<0.5, particularly advantageously 0.05≤y**≤0.45, very particularly advantageously 0.1≤y**≤0.4, 0.15≤y**≤0.35 or 0.2≤y**≤0.3 and 0≤y***≤1, advantageously 0<y***<0.875 or 0<y***≤0.5, particularly advantageously 0<y***≤0.3.

Proceeding from the phosphor of the molecular formula (MA)Li₃SiO₄:E in accordance with at least one embodiment, (MA)Li₃SiO₄ can be at least partly replaced by CaLiAl₃N₄ and a phosphor of the formula (MA)_(1−y*)Ca_(y*)Li_(3−2y*)Al_(3y*)Si_(1−y*)O_(4−4y*)N_(4y*):E is obtained. In this case, MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof, and E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Ce, Yb, Mn and combinations thereof. Advantageously, MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises Li, Na, K, Rb and combinations thereof and E=Eu. Very advantageously, MA=Na. The phosphor is an oxonitridolithoalumosilicate phosphor. It holds true that 0<y*<0.875, advantageously 0<y*≤0.5, particularly advantageously 0<y*≤0.3, very particularly advantageously 0<y*≤0.1. By way of example, it holds true that y*=0.01; 0.02; 0.03; 0.04 or 0.05.

Proceeding from the phosphor of the molecular formula (MA)Li₃SiO₄:E in accordance with at least one embodiment, (MA)Li₃SiO₄ can be at least partly replaced by SrLiAl₃N₄ and a phosphor of the formula (MA)_(1−y***)Sr_(y***)Li_(3−2y***)Al_(3y***)Si_(1−y***)O_(4−4y***)N_(4y***):E is obtained. In this case, MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof and E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Ce, Yb, Mn and combinations thereof, advantageously, E=Eu. Advantageously, MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises Li, Na, K, Rb and combinations thereof. Very advantageously, MA=Na. The phosphor is an oxonitridolithoalumosilicate phosphor. It holds true that 0<y***<0.875, advantageously 0<y***≤0.5, particularly advantageously 0<y***≤0.3. For example y***=0.25.

Proceeding from the phosphor of the molecular formula (MA)Li₃SiO₄:E in accordance with at least one embodiment, (MA)Li₃SiO₄ can be at least partly replaced by EuLiAl₃N₄ and a phosphor of the formula (MA)_(1−y**)Eu_(y**)Li_(3−2y**)Al_(3y**)Si_(1−y**)O_(4−4y**)N_(4y**):E is obtained. In this case, MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof, and E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Ce, Yb, Mn and combinations thereof; advantageously, E=Eu. Advantageously, MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises Li, Na, K, Rb and combinations thereof. Very advantageously, MA=Na. The phosphor is an oxonitridolithoalumosilicate phosphor. It advantageously holds true that 0<y**<0.875 or 0<y**<0.5, particularly advantageously 0.05≤y**≤0.45, very particularly advantageously 0.1≤y**≤0.4, 0.15≤y**≤0.35 or 0.2≤y**≤0.3. Surprisingly, despite the in some instances very high proportions of Eu, the phosphor does not exhibit any concentration-governed quenching behavior and the associated loss of efficiency. Despite the high proportion of Eu, the phosphor is thus surprisingly very efficient.

Proceeding from the phosphor of the molecular formula (MA)Li₃SiO₄:E in accordance with at least one embodiment, LiO₂ can be at least partly replaced by AlN₂ and a phosphor of the formula (MA)Li_(3−y″)Al_(y′)SiO_(4−2y′)N_(2y′):E is obtained.

Proceeding from the phosphor of the molecular formula (MA)Li₃SiO₄:E in accordance with at least one embodiment, LiO can be at least partly replaced by MgN and a phosphor of the formula (MA)Li_(3−y″)Mg_(y″)SiO_(4−y″)N_(y″):E is obtained.

Proceeding from the phosphor of the molecular formula (MA)Li₃SiO₄:E in accordance with at least one embodiment, (MA)O can be at least partly replaced by CaN and a phosphor of the formula (MA)_(1−w′″)Ca_(w′″)Li₃SiO_(4−w′″)N_(w′″):E is obtained.

Proceeding from the phosphor of the molecular formula (MA)Li₃SiO₄:E in accordance with at least one embodiment, LiSiO can be at least partly replaced by Al₂N and a phosphor of the formula (MA)Li_(3−w′)Al_(2w′)Si_(1−w′)O_(4−w′)N_(w′):E is obtained.

Proceeding from the phosphor of the molecular formula (MA)Li₃SiO₄:E in accordance with at least one embodiment, (MA)Li₃SiO₂ can be at least partly replaced by CaAl₂N₂ and a phosphor of the formula (MA)_(1−w″)Ca_(w″)Li_(3−w″)Si_(1−w″)Al_(2w″)O_(4−2w″)N_(2w″):E is obtained.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs and combinations thereof. By way of example, MA can be chosen as follows: MA=Na, K, (Na,K), (Rb,Li). (Na,K), (Rb,Li) in this case means that a combination of Na and K or a combination of Rb and Li is present. This choice of MA yields particularly efficient phosphors that are applicable in diverse ways.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has one of the following general molecular formulae: NaLi_(3−x)Si_(1−x)Zn_(x)Al_(x)O₄:E, NaLi_(3−x)Si_(1−x)Mg_(x)Al_(x)O₄:E, Na_(1−x′)Ca_(x′)Li₃Si_(1−x′)Al_(x′)O₄:E, Na_(1−x″)Ca_(x″)Li_(3−x″)Si_(1−x″)Mg_(2x″)O₄:E, NaLi_(3−2z)Mg_(3z)Si_(1−z)O₄:E, NaLi₃Si_(1−2z′)Al_(z′)P_(z′)O₄:E.

In particular, x, x′, x″, z and z′ are accorded the meanings mentioned above.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has one of the following general molecular formulae: (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁Li_(3−x)Si_(1−x)Zn_(x)Al_(x)O₄:E, (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁Li_(3−x)Si_(1−x)Mg_(x)Al_(x)O₄:E, (Na_(r)K_(1−r))_(1−x′)Ca_(x′)Li₃Si_(1−x′)Al_(x′)O₄:E, (Na_(r)K_(1−r))_(1−x″)Ca_(x″)Li_(3−x″)Si_(1−x″)Mg_(2x″)O₄:E, (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁Li_(3−2z)Mg_(3z)Si_(1−z)O₄:E, (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁Li₃Si_(1−2z′)Al_(z′)P_(z′)O₄:E, wherein

0≤r≤1, for example r=0; 0.05; 0.1; 0.15; 0.2; 0.25; 0.3; 0.35, 0.4; 0.45; 0.5; 0.55; 0.6; 0.65; 0.7; 0.75; 0.8; 0.85; 0.9; 0.95; 1.0. Advantageously, 0≤r≤0.1 or 0.1<r≤0.4 or 0.4<r≤1.0; particularly advantageously r=0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 or 1.0. In particular, x, x′, x″, z and z′ are accorded the meanings mentioned above.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has one of the following general molecular formulae: (Rb_(r′)Li_(1−r′))₁Li_(3−x)Si_(1−x)Zn_(x)Al_(x)O₄:E, (Rb_(r′)Li_(1−r′))₁Li_(3−x)Si_(1−x)Mg_(x)Al_(x)O₄:E, (Rb_(r′)Li_(1−r′))_(1−x′)Ca_(x′)Li₃Si_(1−x′)Al_(x′)O₄:E, ((Rb_(r′)Li_(1−r′))_(1−x″)Ca_(x″)Li_(3−x″)Si_(1−x″)Mg_(2x″)O₄:E, (Rb_(r′)Li_(1−r′))₁Li_(3−2z)Mg_(3z)Si_(1−z)O₄:E, (Rb_(r′)Li_(1−r′))₁Li₃Si_(1−2z′)Al_(z′)P_(z′)O₄:E, wherein 0≤r′≤1, for example r′=0; 0.05; 0.1; 0.15; 0.2; 0.25; 0.3; 0.35, 0.4; 0.45; 0.5; 0.55; 0.6; 0.65; 0.7; 0.75; 0.8; 0.85; 0.9; 0.95; 1.0, advantageously 0.25≤r′≤0.75, particularly advantageously 0.4≤r′≤0.6, very particularly advantageously r′=0.5. In particular, x, x′, x″, z and z′ are accorded the meanings mentioned above.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has one of the following general molecular formulae: (Na_(r)K_(1−r))_(1−y*)Ca_(y*)Li_(3−2y*)Al_(3y*)Si_(1−y)O_(4−4y*)N_(4y*):E, (Na_(r)K_(1−r))Li_(3−y′)Al_(y″)SiO_(4−2y′)N_(2y′):E, (Na_(r)K_(1−r))Li_(3−y″)Mg_(y″)SiO_(4−y″)N_(y″):E, (Na_(r)K_(1−r))_(1−w′″)Ca_(w′″)Li₃SiO_(4−w′″)N_(w):E, (Na_(r)K_(1−r))Li_(3−w′)Al_(2w′)Si_(1−w′)O_(4−w′)N_(w′):E, (Na_(r)K_(1−r))_(1−w″)Ca_(w″)Li_(3−w″)Si_(1−w″)Al_(2w″)O_(4−2w″)N_(2w″):E, wherein

0≤r≤1, for example r=0; 0.05; 0.1; 0.15; 0.2; 0.25; 0.3; 0.35, 0.4; 0.45; 0.5; 0.55; 0.6; 0.65; 0.7; 0.75; 0.8; 0.85; 0.9; 0.95; 1.0. Advantageously, 0≤r≤0.1 or 0.1<r≤0.4 or 0.4<r≤1.0; particularly advantageously r=0, 0.25, 0.5 or 1.0. In particular, y*, y′, y″, w′″, w′ and w′ are accorded the meanings mentioned above.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has one of the following general molecular formulae: (Rb_(r′)Li_(1−r′))_(1−y*)Ca_(y*)Li_(3−2y*)Al_(3y*)Si_(1−y*)O_(4−4y*)N_(4y*):E, (Rb_(r′)Li_(1−r′))Li_(3−y′)Al_(y′)SiO_(4−2y′)N_(2y′):E, (Rb_(r′)Li_(1−r′))Li_(3−y″)Mg_(y″)SiO_(4−y″)N_(y″):E, (Rb_(r′)Li_(1−r′))_(1−w′″)Ca_(w′″)Li₃SiO_(4−w′″)N_(w):E, (Rb_(r′)Li_(1−r′))Li_(3−w′)Al_(2w′)Si_(1−w′)O_(4−w′)N_(w′):E, (Rb_(r′)Li_(1−r′))_(1−w″)Ca_(w″)Li_(3−w″)Si_(1−w″)Al_(2w″)O_(4−2w″)N_(2w″):E, wherein

0≤r′≤1, for example r′=0; 0.05; 0.1; 0.15; 0.2; 0.25; 0.3; 0.35, 0.4; 0.45; 0.5; 0.55; 0.6; 0.65; 0.7; 0.75; 0.8; 0.85; 0.9; 0.95; 1.0, advantageously 0.25≤r′≤0.75, particularly advantageously 0.4≤r′≤0.6, very particularly advantageously r′=0.5. In particular, y*, y′, y″, w′″, w′ and w″ are accorded the meanings mentioned above.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has one of the following general molecular formulae: Na_(1−y*)Ca_(y*)Li_(3−2y*)Al_(3y*)Si_(1−y*)O_(4−4y*)N_(4y*):E, NaLi_(3−y′)Al_(y′)SiO_(4−2y′)N_(2y′):E, NaLi_(3−y″)Mg_(y″)SiO_(4−y″)N_(y″):E, Na_(1−w′″)Ca_(w′″)Li₃SiO_(4−w′″)N_(w):E, NaLi_(3−w′)Al_(2w′)Si_(1−w′)O_(4−w′)N_(w′):E, Na_(1−w″)Ca_(w″)Li_(3−w″)Si_(1−w″)Al_(2w″)O_(4−2w″)N_(2w″):E. In particular, y*, y′, y″, w′″, w′ and w″ are accorded the meanings mentioned above.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the general molecular formula (MA)₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E. In this case, MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof. Advantageously, MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs and combinations thereof. TA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises Li, Na, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof. TD is selected from a group of tetravalent metals which comprises Si, Ge, Sm, Mn, Ti, Zr, Hf, Ce and combinations thereof. XB is selected from a group of elements which comprises O, S and combinations thereof. E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Ce, Yb, Mn and combinations thereof; advantageously, E=Eu. In particular, E occupies the lattice sites of MA or interstitial sites. For charge balancing, in this case the proportion of the further elements, for example that of TA and/or TD, may change. By way of example, E=Eu²⁺ and replaces MA⁺ in the molecular formula; the charge balancing is effected by changing the proportion of TA and/or TD.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the general molecular formula (MA)₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E. In this case, MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs and combinations thereof. TA=Li, TD=Si, XB═O and E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Ce, Yb, Mn and combinations thereof. It advantageously holds true that: E=Eu or a combination of Eu with Ce, Yb and/or Mn.

Surprisingly, it has been found that the properties of the phosphor, in particular with regard to the peak wavelength and the full width at half maximum, can be changed considerably by varying the composition of MA. Moreover, the phosphors have a high absorptivity of primary radiation in the range of 300 nm to 460 nm or 300 nm to 500 nm, in particular between 300 nm and 450 nm or 300 nm and 430 nm.

By way of example, the phosphor of the formula NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu, upon excitation with a primary radiation having a wavelength of 400 nm, emits in the blue spectral range of the electromagnetic spectrum and exhibits a narrowband emission, that is to say an emission having a small full width at half maximum. By contrast, upon excitation with a primary radiation having a wavelength of 400 nm, the phosphor of the formula KLi₃SiO₄:Eu exhibits very broadband emission from the blue to red spectral range, thus giving rise to a white-colored luminous impression. The phosphors of the formula (Na_(0.5)K_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, (Rb_(0.25)Na_(0.75))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.5)K_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, (Rb_(0.25)Na_(0.5)K_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu and (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.25)Rb_(0.25)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu exhibit narrowband emission in the blue-green spectral range of the electromagnetic spectrum and the phosphors of the formula (Rb_(0.5)Li_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, (Rb_(0.5)Na_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, (Na_(0.25)K_(0.75))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, (Na_(0.25)K_(0.50)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu and (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.25)K_(0.25)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu exhibit narrowband emission in the green spectral range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Upon excitation with a primary radiation having a wavelength of 460 nm, the phosphor of the formula Na_(0.125)K_(0.875)Li₃SiO₄:Eu has a band in the yellow-orange range. Besides the latter, Na_(0.125)K_(0.875)Li₃SiO₄:Eu exhibits a further emission peak having high intensity in the blue-green range.

The properties of the phosphors are presented in the table below:

λ_(prim) λ_(peak) λ_(dom) FWHM NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu 400 nm 469 nm 473 nm 32 nm KLi₃SiO₄:Eu 400 nm 616 nm 585 nm 143 nm  (Na_(0.5)K_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu 400 nm 486 nm 493 nm 19.2 nm   (Rb_(0.5)Li_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu 400 nm 528 nm 538.7 nm   42.8 nm   (Na_(0.25)K_(0.75))Li₃SiO₄:Eu 400 nm 529 nm 541.4 nm   45 nm (Na_(0.25)K_(0.5)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu 460 nm 532 nm 540.3 nm   45.6 nm   (Rb_(0.5)Na_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu 460 nm 528 nm 533 nm 43.3 nm   (Rb_(0.25)Na_(0.75))Li₃SiO₄:Eu 400 nm 473 nm 476 nm 22.2 nm   (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.25)K_(0.25)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu 400 nm 530 nm 532 nm 46 nm (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.5)K_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu 400 nm 486 nm 497 nm 26 nm (Rb_(0.25)Na_(0.5)K_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu 400 nm 480 nm 490 nm 27 nm (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.25)Rb_(0.25)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu 400 nm 473 nm 489 nm 24 nm Na_(0.125)K_(0.875)Li₃SiO₄:Eu 460 nm 516 nm 554 nm 60 nm

By virtue of the different emission properties, the phosphors are suitable for a wide variety of applications.

The blue or blue-green spectral range is understood to mean the range of the electromagnetic spectrum between 420 nm and 520 nm.

The green spectral range is understood to mean the range of the electromagnetic spectrum between 520 nm and 580 nm inclusive.

The red spectral range is understood to mean the range of the electromagnetic spectrum between 630 nm and 780 nm.

The yellow or yellow-orange spectral range is understood to mean the range of the electromagnetic spectrum between 580 nm and 630 nm.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the general molecular formula (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, where 0≤r≤1, for example r=0; 0.05; 0.1; 0.125; 0.15; 0.2; 0.25; 0.3; 0.35, 0.4; 0.45; 0.5; 0.55; 0.6; 0.65; 0.7; 0.75; 0.8; 0.85; 0.9; 0.95; 1.0. Advantageously, 0≤r≤0.1 or 0.1<r≤0.4 or 0.4<r≤1.0; particularly advantageously r=0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 or 1.0. Advantageously, TA=Li, TD=Si, XB═O and E=Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn, advantageously E=Eu. Surprisingly, the properties of the phosphor, in particular the peak wavelength and the full width at half maximum, change upon variation of the proportions of Na and K in the phosphor. As a result, a wide variety of applications are usable by virtue of these phosphors.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or (Na_(r)K_(1−r))Li₃SiO₄:E crystallizes in a tetragonal, monoclinic or triclinic crystal system, in particular in a tetragonal or triclinic crystal system. Advantageously, the phosphor in accordance with this embodiment crystallizes in the space group I4₁/a, I4/m or P-1. Particularly advantageously, the phosphor in accordance with this embodiment crystallizes in a tetragonal crystal system with the space group I4₁/a or I4/m or in a triclinic crystal system with the space group P-1.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the formula (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E where 0.4<r≤1, advantageously 0.45<r≤1, very particularly advantageously r=0.5 or 1. Advantageously, TA=Li, TD=Si, XB═O and E=Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn, and the phosphor has the formula (Na_(r)K_(1−r))Li₃SiO₄:E. Advantageously, it holds true that E=Eu. By way of example, the phosphor has the formula NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu or (Na_(0.5)K_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu. The peak wavelength of the phosphor is in the blue spectral range, in particular in the range between 450 nm and 500 nm.

The phosphor (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or (Na_(r)K_(1−r))Li₃SiO₄:E where 0.4<r≤1, for example NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu or (Na_(0.5)K_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, is suitable in particular for use in conversion LEDs which emit white radiation. To that end, the phosphor can be combined with a red and green phosphor.

Previous white-emitting conversion LEDs use a semiconductor chip, which emits a blue primary radiation, and a red and green phosphor. A superimposition of the blue primary radiation and the red and green secondary radiation gives rise to white light. What is disadvantageous about this solution is that the epitaxially grown semiconductor chips, based for example on GaN or InGaN, can have fluctuations in the peak wavelength of the emitted primary radiation. This leads to fluctuations in the white overall radiation, such as a change in the color locus and the color rendering, since the primary radiation contributes the blue portion to the overall radiation. This is problematic particularly when a plurality of semiconductor chips is used in a device. In order to prevent fluctuations, the semiconductor chips have to be sorted in accordance with their color loci (“binning”). The closer the tolerance is set with regard to the wavelength of the emitted primary radiation, the higher the quality of devices which consist of more than one semiconductor chip. However, even after sorting with close tolerances, the peak wavelength of the semiconductor chips can change significantly in the case of variable operating temperatures and forward currents. In general lighting and other applications, this can lead to a change in the optical properties, such as the color locus and the color temperature. In backlighting applications, this can additionally lead to a shift in the blue color locus and thus to a change in the color space.

The phosphor (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E where 0.4<r≤1, for example NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu, (Rb_(r*)Na_(1−r*))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E where 0<r*<0.4, (Cs,Na,Rb,Li)₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, (Cs,Na,K)₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or (Rb,Na,K)₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or (Na_(0.5)K_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, can be efficiently excited with a primary radiation of 300 nm to 460 nm, advantageously 300 nm to 440 nm. The combination of semiconductor chips with a primary radiation of from 300 nm to 440 nm, for example based on GaInN, leads to the emission of a secondary radiation in the blue spectral range which is stable over a significantly wider temperature range and larger ranges for the forward currents. Since the primary radiation of 300 nm to 440 nm is not visible or is scarcely visible, a wide variety of semiconductor chips can be used as primary radiation source and a constant and stable emission spectrum of the conversion LED can nevertheless be obtained. In this regard, complex “binning” of the semiconductor chips can be avoided or simplified and the efficiency can be increased. In combination with a green and a red phosphor, (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E where 0.4<r≤1 is thus particularly well suited to the application thereof in a white conversion LED.

Moreover, the phosphor (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or (Na_(r)K_(1−r))Li₃SiO₄:E where 0.4<r≤1, in particular (Na_(0.5)K_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, is suitable for use in lighting devices such as conversion LEDs which emit a blue radiation.

Such conversion LEDs are used for example for signal lights, such as blue lights. Since said signal lights firstly have to be very bright and secondly have to lie in a specific color locus range or at a specific color locus, not all blue light sources are suitable for this use. On the other hand, conversion LEDs comprising the phosphor (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E where 0.4<r≤1, in particular (Na_(0.5)K_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, are suitable for suppressing melatonin production in human beings. The conversion LEDs can thus be used in a targeted manner to increase vigilance and/or the ability to concentrate. By way of example, they can contribute to overcoming jetlag more rapidly. Moreover, the phosphor or a conversion LED comprising the phosphor is suitable for “color on demand” applications, that is to say for conversion LEDs having blue color loci adapted to consumer desires, for example for realizing certain brand-specific or product-specific colors for example in advertising or else in the design of the interior fittings for automobiles. Alternatively, what is suitable for conversion LEDs which emit a blue radiation is (Rb_(r*)Na_(1−r*))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, wherein 0<r*<0.4, advantageously 0.1≤r*≤0.35, particularly advantageously 0.2≤r*≤0.3, very particularly advantageously r*=0.25 or (Cs,Na,Rb,Li)₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, (Cs,Na,K)₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E and (Rb,Na,K)₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E. By way of example, the phosphor has the formula NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu or (Na_(0.5)K_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, (Rb_(0.25)Na_(0.75))Li₃SiO₄:Eu or (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.25)Rb_(0.25)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.5)K_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu or (Rb_(0.25)Na_(0.5)K_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the formula (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E where 0.2<r≤0.4, advantageously 0.2<r≤0.3, very particularly advantageously r=0.25. Advantageously, TA=Li, TD=Si and XB═O and the phosphor has the formula (Na_(r)K_(1−r))Li₃SiO₄:E. E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Mn, Ce, Yb and combinations thereof; advantageously, E=Eu. By way of example, the phosphor has the formula (Na_(0.25)K_(0.75))Li₃SiO₄:Eu. The peak wavelength of the phosphor is in the green spectral range, in particular.

The phosphor (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or (Na_(r)K_(1−r))Li₃SiO₄:E where 0.2<r≤0.4, advantageously 0.2<r≤0.4, particularly advantageously 0.2<r≤0.3, very particularly advantageously r=0.25, is suitable in particular for use in conversion LEDs for the backlighting of displays.

Moreover, the phosphor (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or (Na_(r)K_(1−r))Li₃SiO₄:E where 0.2<r≤0.4, advantageously 0.2<r≤0.4, in particular (Na_(0.25)K_(0.75))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, is suitable for use in lighting devices such as conversion LEDs which emit a green radiation.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the formula (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E where 0.05<r≤0.2, advantageously 0.1<r≤0.2. Advantageously, TA=Li, TD=Si and XB═O and the phosphor has the formula (Na_(r)K_(1−r))Li₃SiO₄:E. E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Mn, Ce, Yb and combinations thereof; advantageously, E=Eu. By way of example, the phosphor is Na_(0.125)K_(0.875)Li₃SiO₄:Eu.

Surprisingly, the phosphor of the formula (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or (Na_(r)K_(1−r))Li₃SiO₄:E where 0.05<r≤0.2 has a wide emission band. In particular, besides the band having the highest intensity (=peak wavelength), the phosphor has a further emission peak, which has an intensity of similar magnitude to that of the emission peak at the peak wavelength.

The phosphor (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or (Na_(r)K-r)Li₃SiO₄:E where 0.05<r≤0.2, advantageously 0.1<r≤0.2, in particular Na_(0.125)K_(0.875)Li₃SiO₄:Eu, is suitable for example for use in lighting devices such as conversion LEDs which emit white radiation. By virtue of the wide emission, in particular the two emission peaks in the blue or blue-green range and in the yellow-orange range, the phosphor can advantageously be used as sole phosphor in a lighting device such as a conversion LED. In particular, with such a conversion LED it is possible to generate a white overall radiation having color temperatures above 8000 K and a high color rendering index and great color space coverage, which can be used in particular for general lighting and backlighting of displays.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the formula (Na_(r)Kr)₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E where 0≤r≤0.05, advantageously r=0. Advantageously, TA=Li, TD=Si and XB═O and the phosphor has the formula (Na_(r)K_(1−r)))Li₃SiO₄:E. E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Mn, Ce, Yb and combinations thereof, advantageously, E=Eu. By way of example, the phosphor is KLi₃SiO₄:Eu. The phosphor exhibits very broadband emission from the blue to red spectral range, thus giving rise to a white luminous impression.

The phosphor (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or (Na_(r)K_(1−r))Li₃SiO₄:E where 0≤r≤0.05, in particular KLi₃SiO₄:Eu, is suitable for example for use in lighting devices such as conversion LEDs which emit white radiation. As a result of the wide emission of the phosphor, the latter can advantageously be used as sole phosphor in a lighting device such as a conversion LED.

In comparison with the known white-emitting conversion LEDs that use a blue-emitting semiconductor chip and a red and green phosphor for generating white light, here the complex binning of the semiconductor chips can be dispensed with or carried out at least with a greater tolerance. It is possible to use semiconductor chips having a primary radiation that is not perceived or is only scarcely perceived by the human eye (300 nm to 460 nm, advantageously up to 430 nm or 440 nm). Production-temperature- or forward-current-dictated fluctuations of the primary radiations do not adversely affect the overall radiation properties. In comparison with the use of two or more phosphors, color adaptation by varying the concentrations of the phosphors is not necessary, since the emission spectrum is generated by only one phosphor and is thus constant. The conversion LEDs can thus be produced with a high throughput since adaptation or complex chip binning is not necessary. No color shifts or other adverse effects on the emission spectrum as a result of selective degradation of only one phosphor occur. A partial conversion of the primary radiation can also be carried out depending on the application. Since it is possible to excite the phosphor with a primary radiation in the range of 300 nm to 460 nm, a contribution of the primary radiation, advantageously in the short-wave blue range of the electromagnetic spectrum, to the overall radiation has the effect that objects illuminated thereby appear whiter, more radiant and therefore more attractive. It is possible for example for optical brightening agents in textiles to be excited thereby.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the general molecular formula (Rb_(r′)Li_(1−r′))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, wherein 0≤r′≤1, for example r′=0; 0.05; 0.1; 0.15; 0.2; 0.25; 0.3; 0.35, 0.4; 0.45; 0.5; 0.55; 0.6; 0.65; 0.7; 0.75; 0.8; 0.85; 0.9; 0.95; 1.0, advantageously 0.25≤r′≤0.75, particularly advantageously 0.4≤r′≤0.6, very particularly advantageously r′=0.5. Advantageously, TA=Li, TD=Si and XB═O and the phosphor has the formula (Rb_(r′)Li_(1−r′))Li₃SiO₄:E. E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Mn, Ce, Yb and combinations thereof; advantageously, E=Eu. It has been found that these phosphors have a small full width at half maximum and are applicable in diverse ways.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the general molecular formula (K,Na,Li,Cs)_(i)(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, wherein K, Na, Li and Cs are contained in the phosphor. Advantageously, TA=Li, TD=Si and XB═O and the phosphor has the formula (K,Na,Li,Cs)Li₃SiO₄:E. E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Mn, Ce, Yb and combinations thereof; advantageously, E=Eu.

Particularly advantageously, the phosphor has the formula (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.25)K_(0.25)Li_(0.25)) (TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.25)K_(0.25)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:E. The peak wavelength of the phosphor is in the green spectral range, in particular, and has a full width at half maximum of less than 50 nm.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the general molecular formula (Rb,Na,Li,Cs)₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, wherein Rb, Na, Li and Cs are contained in the phosphor. Advantageously, TA=Li, TD=Si and XB═O and the phosphor has the formula (Rb,Na,Li,Cs)Li₃SiO₄:E. E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Mn, Ce, Yb and combinations thereof; advantageously, E=Eu. Particularly advantageously, the phosphor has the formula (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.25)Rb_(0.25)Li_(0.25)) (TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.25)Rb_(0.25)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:E. The peak wavelength of the phosphor is in the blue spectral range, in particular, and has a full width at half maximum of less than 30 nm.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the general molecular formula (Cs,Na,K)₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, wherein Na, K and Cs are contained in the phosphor. Advantageously, TA=Li, TD=Si and XB═O and the phosphor has the formula (Cs,Na,K)Li₃SiO₄:E. E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Mn, Ce, Yb and combinations thereof; advantageously, E=Eu. Particularly advantageously, the phosphor has the formula (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.50)K_(0.25)) (TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.50)K_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:E. The peak wavelength of the phosphor is in the blue spectral range, in particular, and has a full width at half maximum of less than 30 nm.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the general molecular formula (Rb,Na,K)₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, wherein Na, K and Rb are contained in the phosphor. Advantageously, TA=Li, TD=Si and XB═O and the phosphor has the formula (Rb,Na,K)Li₃SiO₄:E. E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Mn, Ce, Yb and combinations thereof; advantageously, E=Eu.

Particularly advantageously, the phosphor has the formula (Rb_(0.25)Na_(0.50)K_(0.25)) (TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or (Rb_(0.25)Na_(0.50)K_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:E. The peak wavelength of the phosphor is in the blue spectral range, in particular, and has a full width at half maximum of less than 30 nm.

The phosphors (Rb,Na,Li,Cs)_(i)(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, (Cs,Na,K)₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E and (Rb,Na,K)₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E are suitable in particular for use in conversion LEDs which emit white radiation. To that end, the phosphor can be combined in each case with a red and green phosphor. Moreover, these phosphors are suitable for use in lighting devices such as conversion LEDs which emit a blue radiation.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor (Rb,Na,Li,Cs)₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, (K,Na,Li,Cs)₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, (Rb,Na,K)₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, (Cs,Na,K) (TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, (K,Na,Li,Cs)Li₃SiO₄:E, (Rb,Na,Li,Cs)Li₃SiO₄:E, (Rb, Na,K)Li₃SiO₄:E or (Cs,Na,K)Li₃SiO₄:E crystallizes in a tetragonal crystal system. Advantageously, the phosphor in accordance with this embodiment crystallizes in the space group I4/m. Particularly advantageously, the phosphor in accordance with this embodiment crystallizes in a tetragonal crystal system with I4/m.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the general molecular formula (K_(1−r″−r′″)Na_(r″)Li_(r′″))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, wherein 0<r″<0.5 and 0<r′″<0.5, for example r″=0.05; 0.1; 0.15; 0.2; 0.25; 0.3; 0.35, 0.4; 0.45 and r′″=0.05; 0.1; 0.15; 0.2; 0.25; 0.3; 0.35, 0.4; 0.45. Advantageously, 0.1<r″<0.4 and 0.1<r′″<0.4, particularly advantageously 0.2<r″<0.3 and 0.2<r′″<0.3. Advantageously, TA=Li, TD=Si and XB═O and the phosphor has the formula (K_(1−r″−r′″)Na_(r″)Li_(r′″))₁Li₃SiO₄:E. E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Mn, Ce, Yb and combinations thereof; advantageously, E=Eu. Surprisingly, the properties of the phosphor, in particular the peak wavelength and the full width at half maximum, change upon variation of the proportions of Na, Li and K in the phosphor. As a result, these phosphors can be used in a wide variety of applications. By way of example, the phosphor has the formula (K_(0.5)Na_(0.25)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu. The peak wavelength of the phosphor is in the green spectral range, in particular, and has a full width at half maximum of less than 50 nm.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor (K_(1−r″−r′″)Na_(r″)Li_(r′″))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or (K_(1−r″−r′″)Na_(r″)Li_(r′″))Li₃SiO₄:E crystallizes in a tetragonal or monoclinic crystal system. Advantageously, the phosphor in accordance with this embodiment crystallizes in the space group I4/m or C2/m. Particularly advantageously, the phosphor in accordance with this embodiment crystallizes in a tetragonal crystal system with the space group I4/m or in a monoclinic crystal system with the space group C2/m, particularly advantageously in a monoclinic crystal system with the space group C2/m.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the general molecular formula (Rb_(r*)Na_(1−r*))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, wherein 0<r*<1, for example r*=0.05; 0.1; 0.15; 0.2; 0.25; 0.3; 0.35, 0.4; 0.45; 0.5; 0.55; 0.6; 0.65; 0.7; 0.75; 0.8; 0.85; 0.9; 0.95. Advantageously, TA=Li, TD=Si and XB═O and the phosphor has the formula (Rb_(r*)Na_(1−r*))Li₃SiO₄:E. E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Mn, Ce, Yb and combinations thereof; advantageously E=Eu.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor (Rb_(r*)Na_(1−r*))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or (Rb_(r*)Na_(1−r*))Li₃SiO₄:E crystallizes in a tetragonal or monoclinic crystal system. Advantageously, the phosphor in accordance with this embodiment crystallizes in the space group I4/m or C2/m. Particularly advantageously, the phosphor in accordance with this embodiment crystallizes in a tetragonal crystal system with the space group I4/m or in a monoclinic crystal system with the space group C2/m.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the general molecular formula (Rb_(r*)Na_(1−r*))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, wherein 0.4≤r*<1.0, advantageously 0.4≤r*<0.875 or 0.4≤r*≤0.75, particularly advantageously 0.4≤r*≤0.6 very particularly advantageously r*=0.5. Advantageously, TA=Li, TD=Si and XB═O and the phosphor has the formula (Rb_(r*)Na_(1−r*))Li₃SiO₄:E. E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Mn, Ce, Yb and combinations thereof; advantageously E=Eu. By way of example, the phosphor has the formula (Rb_(0.5)Na_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu. The peak wavelength of the phosphor is in the green spectral range, in particular, and has a full width at half maximum of between 42 and 44 nm.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the general molecular formula (Rb_(r*)Na_(1−r*))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, wherein 0<r*<0.4, for example r*=0.05; 0.1; 0.15; 0.2; 0.25; 0.3; 0.35, advantageously 0.1≤r*≤0.35, particularly advantageously 0.2≤r*≤0.3, very particularly advantageously r*=0.25. Advantageously, TA=Li, TD=Si and XB═O and the phosphor has the formula (Rb_(r*)Na_(1−r*))Li₃SiO₄:E. E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Mn, Ce, Yb and combinations thereof; advantageously E=Eu. The peak wavelength of the phosphor is advantageously in the blue spectral range and has a full width at half maximum of between 20 and 24 nm.

The phosphor (Rb_(r*)Na_(1−r*))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or (Rb_(r*)Na_(1−r*))Li₃SiO₄:E where 0<r*<0.4, advantageously 0.1≤r*≤0.35, particularly advantageously 0.2≤r*≤0.3, very particularly advantageously r*=0.25, is suitable in particular for use in conversion LEDs which emit white radiation. To that end, the phosphor can be combined with a red and green phosphor.

Moreover, the phosphor (Rb_(r*)Na_(1−r*))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or (Rb_(r*)Na_(1−r*))Li₃SiO₄:E where 0<r*<0.4, advantageously 0.1≤r*≤0.35, particularly advantageously 0.2≤r*≤0.3, very particularly advantageously r*=0.25, is suitable for use in lighting devices such as conversion LEDs which emit a blue radiation.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the formula (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or (Na_(r)K-r)Li₃SiO₄:E where 0.2<r≤0.4, advantageously 0.2<r≤0.3, particularly advantageously r=0.25 or (Rb_(r′)Li_(1−r′))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or (Rb_(r′)Li_(1−r′))Li₃SiO₄:E where 0≤r′≤1, advantageously 0.25≤r′≤0.75, particularly advantageously 0.4≤r′≤0.6. Advantageously, TA=Li, TD=Si and XB═O. The peak wavelength of the phosphor is in the green spectral range, in particular, and has a full width at half maximum of less than 50 nm.

In many display applications such as televisions, computer monitors, tablets and smartphones, manufacturers endeavor to render the colors vividly and realistically, since this is very attractive to consumers.

Light sources for the backlighting of displays, for example of LCD displays, differ from light sources for general lighting. The requirements made of light sources for general lighting consist, in particular, in a high luminous efficiency combined with a continuous spectrum in order to achieve a high color rendering index. In the case of LCD displays (“liquid crystal displays”) and other displays, the colors are rendered by the primary colors red, green and blue. The bandwidth of colors that can be rendered on a display is therefore limited by the spanned color triangle of the colors red, green and blue. These colors are correspondingly filtered out from the spectrum for backlighting by red, green and blue color filters. However, the wavelength range of the transmitted radiation of the color filters is still very wide. Therefore, light sources having very narrowband emissions, that is to say a small full width at half maximum, in the green, blue and red spectral range are required in order to cover the widest possible color space. As light sources for backlighting applications, predominantly a blue-emitting semiconductor chip with a phosphor having a peak wavelength in the green spectral range and a phosphor having a peak wavelength in the red spectral range are combined, wherein the phosphors have the smallest possible full width at half maximum of the emission. Ideally the emission peaks in this case are congruent with the transmission range of the respective color filter in order to lose as little light as possible, to achieve the maximum efficiency and to reduce crosstalk or an overlap of the different color channels that limits the achievable color space.

Conversion LEDs for backlighting applications conventionally use as green phosphor for example an yttrium aluminum garnet, a lutetium aluminum garnet or a β-SiAlON (Si_(6-z)Al_(z)O_(z)N_(8-z):RE or Si_(6-x)Al_(z)O_(y)N_(8-y):RE_(z) where RE=rare earth metal). However, yttrium aluminum garnet has an emission peak having a large full width at half maximum, such that the achievable color space is limited by the considerable filter losses and the efficiency is reduced as well. β-SiAlON with a full width at half maximum of less than 60 nm has a narrowband emission in the green spectral range that leads to a more saturated green rendering than with the garnet phosphor. However, the β-SiAlONs lack a good internal and external quantum efficiency, which makes the entire backlighting not very efficient. Furthermore, the production of these phosphors requires very high temperatures and costly equipment. Therefore, the phosphor is very expensive to produce, and thus so are conversion LEDs comprising this phosphor.

Quantum dots are also used for the conversion of primary radiation for backlighting applications on account of their very narrowband emission. However, quantum dots are very unstable, particularly under the ambient conditions of a conversion LED for backlighting applications. Moreover, most commercially available quantum dots comprise harmful elements such as Hg or Cd, the concentration of which is limited in commercial electrical and electronic devices under the regulations of RoHS (“reduction of hazardous substances”, EU directive 2011/65/EU).

Surprisingly, the phosphors according to the present disclosure (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E where 0.2<r≤0.4, (Rb_(r′)Li_(1−r′))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E where 0≤r′≤1, (K_(1−r″−r′″)Na_(r″)Li_(r′″))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E where 0<r″<0.5 and 0<r′″<0.5, (K,Na,Li,Cs) (TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, and (Rb_(r*)Na_(1−r*))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E where 0.4≤r*<1.0, for example (Rb_(0.5)Li_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, (Na_(0.25)K_(0.75))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, (Na_(0.25)K_(0.50)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.25)K_(0.25)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu and (Rb_(0.5)Na_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, have a peak wavelength in the green spectral range and a very small full width at half maximum and are therefore suitable in particular for white-emitting lighting devices such as, for example, white-emitting conversion LEDs in conjunction with a semiconductor chip that emits a blue primary radiation and with a red phosphor for backlighting applications in particular for display elements such as displays. Advantageously, a particularly large bandwidth of colors can be achieved with such a white-emitting conversion LED. As a result of the small full width at half maximum of the phosphors according to the present disclosure (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E where 0.2<r≤0.4, (Rb_(r′)Li_(1−r′))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E where 0≤r′≤1, (K_(1−r″−r′″)Na_(r″)Li_(r′″))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E where 0<r″<0.5 where 0<r′″<0.5, (K,Na,Li,Cs)(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E and (Rb_(r*)Na_(1−r*))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E where 0.4≤r*<1.0 for example (Rb_(0.5)Li_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, (Na_(0.25)K_(0.75))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, (Na_(0.25)K_(0.50)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.25)K_(0.25)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu and (Rb_(0.5)Na_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, the emission peaks exhibit a very large overlap with the transmission range of a standard green filter, such that only little light is lost and the achievable color space is large.

Green LEDs which emit a radiation in the green wavelength range can be obtained firstly by means of semiconductor chips which emit green directly or in the form of conversion LEDs, comprising a blue- or UV-emitting semiconductor chip and a green phosphor. Semiconductor chips which emit green directly exhibit a very low quantum efficiency. In the case of the conversion LEDs, the primary radiation can on the one hand be converted completely into green secondary radiation (full conversion) or on the other hand be converted only partly into green secondary radiation (partial conversion) and the remaining portion of primary radiation is filtered out by means of a filter, such that the conversion LED emits exclusively or almost exclusively secondary radiation, in particular green secondary radiation.

By contrast, conversion LEDs comprising the green phosphor according to the present disclosure of the formula (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E where 0.2<r≤0.4, (Rb_(r′)Li_(1−r′))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E where 0≤r′≤1, (K_(1−r″−r′″)Na_(r″)Li_(r′″))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E where 0<r″<0.5 and 0<r′″<0.5, (Cs,Na,K,Li)₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, advantageously (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.25)K_(0.25)Li_(0.25)) (TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or (Rb_(r*)Na_(1−r*))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E where 0.4≤r*<0.875, for example (Rb_(0.5)Li_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, (Na_(0.25)K_(0.75))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, (Na_(0.25)K_(0.50)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.25)K_(0.25)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu or (Rb_(0.5)Na_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, are very efficient and exhibit a high color purity and a high power even without the use of a color filter.

Conventionally, (Y,Lu)₃(Al,Ga)₅O₁₂:Ce, orthosilicates or oxonitridoorthosilicates are used as green phosphors. The conventional conversion LEDs often have a low efficiency and color purity. In order to avoid these disadvantages, filters are used to adapt the emission. However, this adversely affects the total power of the conversion LED.

By contrast, conversion LEDs comprising a semiconductor chip and a green phosphor according to the present disclosure of the formula (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E where 0.2<r≤0.4 and (Rb_(r′)Li_(1−r′))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E where 0<r′≤1, for example (Rb_(0.5)Li_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu and (Na_(0.25)K_(0.75))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, are very efficient and exhibit a high color purity and a high power even without the use of a color filter.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the following general molecular formula: Na_(1−y*)Ca_(y*)Li_(3−2y*)Al_(3y*)Si_(1−y*)O_(4−4y*)N_(4y*):E, wherein 0<y*<0.875; advantageously 0<y*<0.5, particularly advantageously 0<y*≤0.3, very particularly advantageously 0<y*≤0.1. By way of example, y*=0.01; 0.02; 0.03, 0.04 or 0.05. E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Mn, Ce, Yb and combinations thereof. Advantageously, E=Eu or Eu²⁺.

Surprisingly, it has been found that the phosphor of the formula NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu has an isotypic crystal structure with respect to the known phosphor CaLiAl₃N₄:Eu. The fact that two compounds crystallize in an isotypic crystal structure means, in particular, that the atoms of one compound occupy the same place within the crystal structure as the corresponding atoms of the other compound. As a result, the linkages of structural units within the structures are maintained unchanged. An isotypic crystal structure in the case of oxides and nitrides is atypical since nitrides, in comparison with oxides, usually have a higher degree of condensation of the polyhedra, in particular the tetrahedra, within the crystal structure. This is surprising particularly in the present case since the degree of condensation of the phosphor according to the present disclosure of the formula NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu is one, whereas typical oxosilicates have a degree of condensation of less than or equal to 0.5. Surprisingly, the inventors have discovered that, proceeding from the phosphor of the molecular formula NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu, the elements Na, Li, Si, O can be partly replaced by the elements Ca, Li, Al and N, thus resulting in a phosphor of the formula Na_(1−y*)Ca_(y*)Li_(3−2y*)Al_(3y*)Si_(1−y)O_(4−4y*)N_(4y*):Eu. This phosphor is present in a mixed phase, in particular, such that within the crystal structure of NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu, the lattice sites are partly occupied by the elements Ca, Li, Al and N.

The known phosphor CaLiAl₃N₄:Eu is a phosphor which emits in the red range of the electromagnetic spectrum, has a peak wavelength at approximately 670 nm, has a full width at half maximum of approximately 60 nm and crystallizes in an isotypic crystal structure with respect to NaLi₃SiO₄. In comparison therewith, NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu emits in the blue spectral range of the electromagnetic spectrum with a peak wavelength of approximately 470 nm and exhibits a more narrowband emission, that is to say an emission having a smaller full width at half maximum than 60 nm. The mixed phase according to the present disclosure of these phosphors advantageously makes it possible to provide a phosphor of the formula Na_(1−y*)Ca_(y*)Li_(3−2y*)Al_(3y*)Si_(1−y)O_(4−4y*)N_(4y*):Eu in which the proportion of CaLiAl₃N₄ can be varied, which is expressed by the index y* in the formula. As a result of this variation, it is possible to provide a phosphor which, as a result of the variable composition, allows the peak wavelength to be set in a range of between 470 nm and 670 nm. The phosphor can thus be set in a targeted manner with regard to the desired color locus, depending on requirements or application. Consequently, with just one phosphor it is possible, surprisingly, to generate almost all colors of the visible range, from blue to red.

The peak wavelength of the phosphor Na_(1−y*)Ca_(y*)Li_(3−2y*)Al_(3y*)Si_(1−y*)O_(4−4y*)N_(4y*):E where 0<y*<0.875, advantageously 0<y*≤0.5, particularly advantageously 0<y*≤0.3, very particularly advantageously 0<y*≤0.1, is advantageously in the blue or green spectral range. The phosphor is suitable in particular in combination with a green and red phosphor for white conversion LEDs, in particular for general lighting. Moreover, the phosphor is suitable for colored conversion LEDs.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor Na_(1−y*)Ca_(y*)Li_(3−2y*)Al_(3y*)Si_(1−y*)O_(4−4y*)N_(4y*):E crystallizes in a tetragonal crystal system. Advantageously, the phosphor in accordance with this embodiment crystallizes in the space group I4₁/a. Particularly advantageously, the phosphor in accordance with this embodiment crystallizes in a tetragonal crystal system with the space group I4₁/a.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the following general molecular formula: Na_(1−y***)Sr_(y***)Li_(3−2y***)Al_(3y***)Si_(1−y***)O_(4−4y***)N_(4y***):E, wherein 0<y***<0.875; advantageously 0<y***≤0.5, particularly advantageously 0<y***≤0.3. By way of example, it holds true that y***=0.01; 0.02; 0.03, 0.04 or 0.05. E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Mn, Ce, Yb and combinations thereof. Advantageously, E=Eu or Eu²⁺.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the formula (MB)_(b)(TA)_(e)(TC)_(g)(TD)_(h)(XB)_(l)(XC)_(m):E,

wherein

-   -   MB is selected from a group of divalent metals which comprises         Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Mn, Eu, Yb, Ni, Fe, Co and combinations         thereof,     -   TA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises         Li, Na, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof,     -   TC is selected from a group of trivalent metals which comprises         B, Al, Ga, In, Y, Fe, Cr, Sc, rare earths and combinations         thereof,     -   TD is selected from a group of tetravalent metals which         comprises Si, Ge, Sn, Mn, Ti, Zr, Hf, Ce and combinations         thereof,     -   XB═O and/or S     -   XC═N     -   b=1;     -   e+g+h=4;     -   l+m=4;     -   2b+e+3g+4h−2l−3m=0 and m<3.5 or l>0.5.     -   E=Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn, advantageously E=Eu.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the formula (MB)_(b)(TA)_(e)(TC)_(g) (TD)_(h)(XB)_(l)(XC)_(m):E,

wherein

-   -   MB is selected from a group of divalent metals which comprises         Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and combinations thereof,     -   TA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises         Li, Na and combinations thereof,     -   TC is selected from a group of trivalent metals which comprises         B, Al, Ga and combinations thereof,     -   TD is selected from a group of tetravalent metals which         comprises Si, Ge and combinations thereof,     -   XC═N     -   XB═O     -   b=1;     -   e+g+h=4;     -   l+m=4;     -   2b+e+3g+4h−2l−3m=0 and m<3.5 or l>0.5.     -   E=Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn, advantageously E=Eu.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the following general molecular formula: (MB)(Si_(0.25)Al_(−1/8+r**/2)Li_(7/8−r**/2))₄(O_(1−r**)N_(r**))₄:E, wherein 0.25≤r**≤1, advantageously 0.25<r**<0.875, particularly advantageously 0.4≤r**≤0.8. MB is selected from a group of divalent metals which comprises Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and combinations thereof, and E=Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn, advantageously E=Eu.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the following general molecular formula: Sr(Si_(0.25)Al_(−1/8+r**/2)Li_(7/8−r**/2))₄(O_(1−r**)N_(r**))₄:E, wherein 0.25≤r**≤1, advantageously 0.25<r**<0.875, particularly advantageously 0.4≤r**≤0.8 and E=Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn. The phosphor is, in particular, a mixed phase of the compounds SrSiLi₃O₃N:Eu (r**=0.25) and Sr₂Si₂Al₃Li₃N₈:Eu (r**=1).

The mixed phase according to the present disclosure advantageously makes it possible to provide a phosphor in which the proportion of nitrogen can be varied, which is expressed in the formula by the index r**. As a result of this variation, it is possible to provide a phosphor which, as a result of the variable composition, allows the peak wavelength to be set from the yellow to red spectral range. Consequently, the phosphor can be set in a targeted manner with regard to the desired color locus and/or color rendering index, depending on requirements or application. With just one phosphor, surprisingly, it is thus possible to generate many colors of the visible range, in particular from yellow to red.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor (MB) (Si_(0.25)Al_(−1/8+r**/2)Li_(7/8−r**/2))₄(O_(1−r**)N_(r**))₄:E or Sr(Si_(0.25)Al_(−1/8+r**/2)Li_(7/8−r**/2))₄(O_(1−r**)N_(r**))₄:E crystallizes in a tetragonal crystal system. Advantageously, the phosphor in accordance with this embodiment crystallizes in the space group I4/m. Particularly advantageously, the phosphor in accordance with this embodiment crystallizes in a tetragonal crystal system with the space group I4/m.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the following general molecular formula: Na_(1−y**)Eu_(y**)Li_(3−2y**)Al_(3y**)Si_(1−y**)O_(4−4y**)N_(4y**):E, wherein 0<y**≤1.0, advantageously 0<y**<0.875 or 0<y**<0.5, particularly advantageously 0.05≤y**≤0.45, very particularly advantageously 0.1≤y**≤0.4, 0.15≤y**≤0.35 or 0.2≤y**≤0.3. E=Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn, advantageously E=Eu.

Surprisingly, it has been found that the phosphor of the formula Na_(1−y**)Eu_(y**)Li_(3−2y**)Al_(3y**)Si_(1−y**)O_(4−4y**)N_(4y**):E, advantageously Na_(1−y**)Eu_(y**)Li_(3−2y**)Al_(3y**)Si_(1−y**)O_(4−4y**)N_(4y**):Eu, can be produced as a mixed phase between NaLi₃SiO₄:E or NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu (y**=0) and the compound EuLiAl₃N₄(y**=1) and moreover constitutes an efficient phosphor having unique properties. This phosphor is present in particular in a mixed phase, such that within the crystal structure of NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu the lattice sites are partly occupied by the elements Eu, Li, Al and N.

NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu emits in the blue spectral range. The mixed phase according to the present disclosure of NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu and the compound EuLiAl₃N₄ advantageously makes it possible to provide a phosphor of the formula Na_(1−y**)Eu_(y**)Li_(3−2y**)Al_(3y**)Si_(1−y**)O_(4−4y**)N_(4y**):Eu in which the proportion of EuLiAl₃N₄ can be varied, which is expressed in the formula by the index y**. As a result of this variation, it is possible to provide a phosphor which, as a result of the variable composition, allows the peak wavelength to be set in a range from the yellow to red range. Consequently, the phosphor can be set in a targeted manner with regard to the desired color locus, depending on requirements or application. With just one phosphor, surprisingly, it is thus possible to generate almost all colors of the visible range, from yellow to red.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor Na_(1−y**)Eu_(y**)Li_(3−2y**)Al_(3y**)Si_(1−y**)O_(4−4y**)N_(4y**):Eu crystallizes in a tetragonal crystal system. Advantageously, the phosphor in accordance with this embodiment crystallizes in the space group I4/m. Particularly advantageously, the phosphor in accordance with this embodiment crystallizes in a tetragonal crystal system with the space group I4/m.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the formula (MB)_(b)(TA)_(e)(TC)_(g)(XB)_(l)(XC)_(m):E,

wherein

-   -   MB is selected from a group of divalent metals which comprises         Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Mn, Eu, Yb, Ni, Fe, Co and combinations         thereof,     -   TA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises         Li, Na, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof,     -   TC is selected from a group of trivalent metals which comprises         B, Al, Ga, In, Y, Fe, Cr, Sc, rare earth metals and combinations         thereof,     -   XB═O,     -   XC═N,     -   b=1;     -   e+g=4;     -   l+m=4;     -   2b+e+3g−2l−3m=0 and m<3.5 or l>0.5.     -   E=Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn, advantageously E=Eu.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the formula (MB)_(b)(TA)_(e)(TC)_(g)(XB)_(l)(XC)_(m):E,

wherein

-   -   MB is selected from a group of divalent metals which comprises         Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn and combinations thereof,     -   TA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises         Li, Na, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof,     -   TC is selected from a group of trivalent metals which comprises         B, Al, Ga and combinations thereof,     -   XB=0,     -   XC═N,     -   b=1;     -   e+g=4;     -   l+m=4;     -   2b+e+3g−2l−3m=0 and m<3.5 or l>0.5.     -   E=Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn, advantageously E=Eu.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the following general molecular formula: (MB)Li_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu where 0<x**<1.0, advantageously 0<x**<0.875, particularly advantageously 0.125<x**<0.875 or 0.125≤x**≤0.5, very particularly advantageously 0.125≤x**≤0.45. MB is selected from a group of divalent metals which comprises Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn and combinations thereof.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the following general molecular formula: SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu where 0<x**≤1.0, advantageously 0<x**<0.875, particularly advantageously 0.125≤x**<0.875 or 0.125≤x**≤0.5, very particularly advantageously 0.125≤x**≤0.45.

Surprisingly, it has been found that the phosphor of the formula SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu can be produced as a mixed phase between SrLi₃AlO₄:Eu (x**=0) and the compound SrLiAl₃N₄ (x**=1) and moreover constitutes an efficient phosphor having unique properties. In particular, the phosphors have a small full width at half maximum.

SrLiAl₃N₄:Eu is a known phosphor exhibiting narrowband emission in the red spectral range. The mixed phase according to the present disclosure of SrLi₃AlO₄:Eu and the compound SrLiAl₃N₄ advantageously makes it possible to provide a phosphor of the formula SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu in which the proportion of SrLiAl₃N₄ can be varied, which is expressed in the formula by the index x**. As a result of this variation, it is possible to provide a phosphor which, as a result of the variable composition, allows the peak wavelength to be set in a range from the green to yellow or yellow-orange range. As a result, it is possible to achieve color loci which cannot be achieved with known phosphors. Consequently, the phosphor can be set in a targeted manner with regard to the desired color locus in the green to yellow range, depending on requirements or application.

Surprisingly, it has been found that the phosphor of the formula SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu, as x** increases, starting from x**≥0.1250, crystallizes in the same crystal structure but in the process the cell volume of the unit cell increases and at the same time, as x** increases, the peak wavelength is shifted into the longer-wavelength range, in particular from the green right into the red spectral range. Thus, the phosphor SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu where 0.125≤x**≤1, advantageously 0.125≤x**<0.875, particularly advantageously 0.125≤x**≤0.5, very particularly advantageously 0.125≤x**≤0.45, is usable in diverse ways and is suitable in particular for colored conversion LEDs comprising SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu as sole phosphor. In addition, the phosphors advantageously have small values of full width at half maximum of less than 80 nm.

The phosphor SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu, in particular where x**≥0.1250, is suitable for example for use in lighting devices such as conversion LEDs which emit white radiation, wherein a superimposition of the blue primary radiation and the secondary radiation yields a white overall radiation. The phosphor is very robust and efficient and it is advantageously possible to provide a conversion LED which emits an overall radiation having a color temperature of less than 3600 K, in particular 3400 K±100 K, and a color locus near the Planckian locus.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the following general molecular formula: SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu where 0<x**<0.125, advantageously 0<x**<0.120.

The phosphor SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu where 0<x**<0.125 surprisingly does not crystallize in an isotypic crystal structure with respect to the crystal structure of SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu where x**≥0.125. In particular, the phosphor where 0<x**<0.125 can form a crystal structure which can be described as a crystallographic superstructure of the crystal structure of variants of the phosphor where x** 2≥0.125.

Advantageously, the peak wavelength of this phosphor is in the green range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The full width at half maximum is advantageously smaller in comparison with SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu where x**≥0.125.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor (MB)Li_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu or SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu crystallizes in a tetragonal crystal system. Advantageously, the phosphor in accordance with this embodiment crystallizes in the space group I4/m. Particularly advantageously, the phosphor in accordance with this embodiment crystallizes in a tetragonal crystal system in the space group I4/m.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor crystallizes in a crystal structure having the same atomic sequence as in UCr₄C₄, CsKNa₂Li₁₂Si₄O₁₆ or RbLi₅{Li[SiO₄]}₂. The fact that the phosphor crystallizes in a crystal structure having the same atomic sequence as in UCr₄C₄, CsKNa₂Li₁₂Si₄O₁₆ or RbLi₅{Li[SiO₄]}₂ means, here and hereinafter, that the succession of the atoms of the phosphor follows the same pattern as the succession of the atoms in UCr₄C₄, CsKNa₂Li₁₂Si₄O₁₆ or RbLi₅{Li[SiO₄]}₂. In other words, the crystal structure exhibits the same structural motifs as UCr₄C₄, CsKNa₂Li₁₂Si₄O₁₆ or RbLi₅{Li[SiO₄]}₂. By way of example, the phosphor of the formula (Na_(0.5)K_(0.5))Li₃SiO₃:Eu crystallizes in a crystal structure having the same atomic sequence as in CsKNa₂Li₁₂Si₄O₁₆; in this case, K occupies the sites of Cs and of K, Na occupies the sites of Na, Li occupies the sites of Li, Si occupies the sites of Si, and O occupies the sites of O. As a result of the variation of the ionic radii in the course of substitution with other atomic species, the absolute position (atomic coordinates) of the atoms may change.

The phosphor can also crystallize in a crystal structure having the same atomic sequence as in the structures NaLi₃SiO₄ or KLi₃GeO₄ derived from UCr₄C₄.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor crystallizes in the same structure type as

-   -   NaLi₃SiO₄     -   KLi₃SiO₄     -   RbLi₅{Li[SiO₄]}₂     -   UCr₄C₄     -   CsKNa₂Li₁₂Si₄O₁₆ or     -   CsKNaLi₉{Li[SiO₄]}₄.

The crystal structures of the embodiments are distinguished in particular by a three-dimensionally linked spatial network. In this case, TA, TB, TC, TD, TE and/or TF are surrounded by XA, XB, XC and/or XD and the resultant structural units, advantageously tetrahedra, are linked via common corners and edges. This arrangement results in a three-dimensionally extending anionic structural unit. MA, MB, MC and/or MD are arranged in the resultant cavities and/or channels.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has a crystal structure in which TA, TB, TC, TD, TE and/or TF are surrounded by XA, XB, XC and/or XD and the resultant structural units are linked via common corners and edges to form a three-dimensional spatial network having cavities and/or channels and MA, MB, MC and/or MD are arranged in the cavities and/or channels. In particular, the structural units are tetrahedra, wherein advantageously XA, XB, XC and/or XD occupy the corners of the tetrahedra and TA, TB, TC, TD, TE and/or TF are arranged in the center of the tetrahedra.

By way of example, in the crystal structure of the embodiment KLi₃SiO₄:E, which is isotypic with respect to KLi₃GeO₄, Li and Si are surrounded by O and form the anionic structural unit in the form of a spatial network of distorted (Li/Si)O₄ tetrahedra. In the resultant cavities, the K atoms are surrounded by 8 O atoms in a distorted cubic fashion.

In the crystal structure of the exemplary embodiment RbLi₅₅{Li[SiO₄]}₂:E, one portion of the Li atoms and Si are surrounded by O and form the anionic structural unit in the form of a spatial network. In this case, the Si atoms are surrounded by 4 O atoms in a distorted tetrahedral fashion. The Li atoms which participate in the structural unit are surrounded by 3 O atoms in a distorted trigonal planar fashion in their first coordination sphere. With addition of further O atoms in the vicinity, the coordination can also be described as distorted tetrahedral or distorted trigonal bipyramidal. In the resultant cavities, the Rb atoms are surrounded by 8 O atoms in a distorted cubic fashion, while the other portion of the Li atoms is surrounded by 4 O atoms in a distorted square planar fashion.

Depending on the chemical composition of the phosphors disclosed here, a severe distortion of the coordination sphere around MA, MB, MC and/or MD may occur. In the case of the exemplary embodiment NaLi₃SiO₄:E, for example, that has the effect that the vicinity of the Na atoms is present as a distorted trigonal prism or, with addition of a further O atom, as a distorted capped cube.

The specified embodiments of the phosphor can be produced in accordance with methods specified below. All features described for the phosphor thus also apply to the method for producing said phosphor, and vice-versa.

A method for producing a phosphor is specified.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the phosphor has the general molecular formula: (MA)_(a)(MB)_(b)(MC)_(c)(MD)_(d)(TA)_(e)(TB)_(f)(TC)_(g)(TD)_(h)(TE)_(i)(TF)(XA)_(k)(XB)_(l)(XC)_(m)(XD)_(n):E

In this case, MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals, MB is selected from a group of divalent metals, MC is selected from a group of trivalent metals, MD is selected from a group of tetravalent metals, TA is selected from a group of monovalent metals, TB is selected from a group of divalent metals, TC is selected from a group of trivalent metals, TD is selected from a group of tetravalent metals, TE is selected from a group of pentavalent elements, TF is selected from a group of hexavalent elements, XA is selected from a group of elements which comprises halogens, XB is selected from a group of elements which comprises O, S and combinations thereof, XC═N and XD=C. The following furthermore hold true:

-   -   a+b+c+d=t;     -   e+f+g+h+i+j=u     -   k+l+m+n=v     -   a+2b+3c+4d+e+2f+3g+4h+5i+6j−k−2l−3m−4n=w     -   0.8≤t≤1     -   3.5≤u≤4     -   3.5≤v≤4     -   (−0.2)≤w≤0.2 and E=Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn. It advantageously holds         true that: 0≤m<0.875 v and/or v≥l>0.125 v.

The method comprises the following method steps:

A) mixing starting materials with the phosphor,

B) heating the mixture obtained under A) to a temperature T1 of between 500 and 1400° C., advantageously between 700 and 1400° C.,

C) annealing the mixture at a temperature T1 of 500 to 1400° C., advantageously between 700 and 1400° C., for 0.5 minute to 10 hours.

In one embodiment, the starting materials are present as powder.

In one embodiment, method step C) is followed by a further method step:

D) cooling the mixture to room temperature. Room temperature is understood to mean 20° C., in particular.

In one embodiment, method step D) is followed by method steps B) and C) again, wherein the phosphor obtained in method step D) is then heated and annealed, respectively. The optical properties of the phosphor can be improved by this further annealing process.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the starting materials melt during the process of heating the mixture obtained under A) in method step B).

The heating and cooling rates can be for example 250° C. per hour.

In one embodiment, method steps B), C) and/or D) take place under forming gas atmosphere. Advantageously, in the forming gas the ratio of nitrogen:hydrogen is 92.5:7.5.

In one embodiment, method steps B), C) and/or D) take place in a tube furnace.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the method comprises the following method step A):

A) mixing the starting materials comprising K₂CO₃, Cs₂CO₃, Na₂CO₃ and/or Rb₂CO₃.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the method comprises the following method step A):

A) mixing the starting materials comprising or consisting of SiO₂, Eu₂O₃, Li₂CO₃ and at least one carbonate from K₂CO₃, Cs₂CO₃, Na₂CO₃ and Rb₂CO₃. In particular, with the use of these starting materials it is possible to produce the phosphors (Na_(r)K_(1−r))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, (Rb_(r′)Li_(1−r′))Li₃SiO₄:Eu and (K_(1−r″−r′″)Na_(r″)Li_(r′″))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, advantageously NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu, KLi₃SiO₄:Eu, (Na_(0.5)K_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, (Rb_(0.5)Li_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, (Na_(0.25)K_(0.75))Li₃SiO₄:Eu and (Na_(0.25)K_(0.5)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the method comprises the following method step A):

A) mixing the starting materials comprising or consisting of CaO, NaF, LiN₃, Li₂O, LiAlH₄, AlF₃, SiO₂ and EuF₃. In particular, with the use of these starting materials it is possible to produce a phosphor of the formula Na_(1−y*)Ca_(y*)Li_(3−2y*)Al_(3y*)Si_(1−y)O_(4−4y*)N_(4y*):Eu, for example Na_(0.97)Ca_(0.03)Li_(2.94)Al_(0.09)Si_(0.97)O_(3.88)N_(0.12):Eu.

The production method can be carried out very simply in comparison with many other methods for producing phosphors. In particular, no protective gas atmosphere is required since the products are insensitive to moisture or oxygen. Moreover, the synthesis is carried out at moderate temperatures and is therefore very energy-efficient. The requirements made, for example, of the furnace used are thus low. The starting materials are commercially available in a cost-effective manner and are non-toxic.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The first exemplary embodiment (Al) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure has the molecular formula NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ (2 mol % Eu²⁺ relative to the substance amount of Na) and is produced as follows: Na₂CO₃, Li₂CO₃, SiO₂ and Eu₂O₃ are melted in a stoichiometric ratio corresponding to the molecular formula in an open nickel crucible. The weighed-in quantities of the starting materials are found in table 1 below. The nickel crucible with the mixed starting materials is heated for one hour to approximately 1000° C. under a forming gas atmosphere (N₂:H₂=92.5:7.5) and then cooled. Further heating under the same forming gas atmosphere and to temperatures below the melting point of the phosphor can be carried out in order to further improve the optical properties of the phosphor.

TABLE 1 Starting Substance material amount/mmol Mass/g Na₂CO₃ 21.82 2.313 Li₂CO₃ 66.21 4.892 SiO₂ 43.94 2.640 Eu₂O₃ 0.44 0.155

The starting materials of the phosphor are commercially available, stable and moreover very inexpensive. The synthesis at comparatively low temperatures makes the phosphor very inexpensive to produce and, as a result, also economically attractive.

The phosphor of the first exemplary embodiment (AB1) exhibits an emission in the blue spectral range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The second exemplary embodiment (AB2) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure has the molecular formula KLi₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ (2 mol % Eu²⁺ relative to the substance amount of K) and is produced as follows: K₂CO₃, Li₂CO₃, SiO₂ and Eu₂O₃ are melted in a stoichiometric ratio corresponding to the molecular formula in an open nickel crucible. The weighed-in quantities of the starting materials are found in table 2 below. The nickel crucible with the mixed starting materials is heated for one hour to approximately 1000° C. under a forming gas atmosphere (N₂:H₂=92.5:7.5) and then cooled. Further heating under the same forming gas atmosphere and to temperatures below the melting point of the phosphor can be carried out in order to further improve the optical properties of the phosphor.

TABLE 2 Starting Substance material amount/mmol Mass/g K₂CO₃ 40.78 5.636 Li₂CO₃ 123.71 9.141 SiO₂ 82.10 4.933 Eu₂O₃ 0.82 0.290

The phosphor of the second exemplary embodiment (AB2) exhibits a wide emission from the blue to red spectral range of the electromagnetic spectrum and thus emits white, in particular warm-white, radiation having a color temperature of less than 3500 K.

The third exemplary embodiment (AB3) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure has the molecular formula (Na_(0.5)K_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ (2 mol % Eu²⁺ relative to the substance amount of Na and K) or NaKLi₆Si₂O₈:Eu²⁺ and is produced as follows: K₂CO₃, Na₂CO₃, Li₂CO₃, SiO₂ and Eu₂O₃ are melted in a stoichiometric ratio corresponding to the molecular formula in an open nickel crucible. The weighed-in quantities of the starting materials are found in table 3 below. The nickel crucible with the mixed starting materials is heated for one hour to eight hours to 800° C. to 1100° C. under a forming gas atmosphere (N₂:H₂=92.5:7.5) and then cooled. Further heating under the same forming gas atmosphere and to temperatures below the melting point of the phosphor can be carried out in order to further improve the optical properties of the phosphor.

TABLE 3 Starting Substance material amount/mmol Mass/g Na₂CO₃ 10.65 1.129 K₂CO₃ 10.44 1.443 Li₂CO₃ 63.97 4.727 SiO₂ 42.46 2.551 Eu₂O₃ 0.43 0.150

The phosphor of the third exemplary embodiment (AB3) exhibits an emission in the blue spectral range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The fourth exemplary embodiment (AB4) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure has the molecular formula (Na_(0.25)K_(0.75))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ (2 mol % Eu²⁺ relative to the substance amount of Na and K) or NaK₃Li₂Si₄O₁₆:Eu²⁺ and is produced as follows: K₂CO₃, Na₂CO₃, Li₂CO₃, SiO₂ and Eu₂O₃ are melted in a stoichiometric ratio corresponding to the molecular formula in an open nickel crucible. The weighed-in quantities of the starting materials are found in table 4 below. The nickel crucible with the mixed starting materials is heated for four hours to 900° C. to 1100° C. under a forming gas atmosphere (N₂:H₂=92.5:7.5) and then cooled. Further heating under the same forming gas atmosphere and to temperatures below the melting point of the phosphor can be carried out in order to further improve the optical properties of the phosphor.

TABLE 4 Starting Substance material amount/mmol Mass/g Na₂CO₃ 5.24 0.555 K₂CO₃ 15.50 2.142 Li₂CO₃ 62.90 4.648 SiO₂ 41.75 2.508 Eu₂O₃ 0.42 0.147

The phosphor of the fourth exemplary embodiment (AB4) exhibits an emission in the green spectral range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The fifth exemplary embodiment (AB5) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure has the molecular formula (Rb_(0.5)Li_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ (2 mol % Eu²⁺ relative to the substance amount of (Rb_(0.5)Li_(0.5))) or RbLiLi₆Si₂O₈:Eu²⁺ and is produced as follows: Rb₂CO₃, Li₂CO₃, SiO₂ and Eu₂O₃ are melted in a stoichiometric ratio corresponding to the molecular formula in an open nickel crucible. The weighed-in quantities of the starting materials are found in table 5 below. The nickel crucible with the mixed starting materials is heated for four hours to approximately 1000° C. under a forming gas atmosphere (N₂:H₂=92.5:7.5) and then cooled. Afterward, the product obtained is ground and a green powder is obtained.

Further heating under the same forming gas atmosphere and to temperatures below the melting point of the phosphor can be carried out in order to further improve the optical properties of the phosphor.

TABLE 5 Starting Substance material amount/mmol Mass/g Rb₂CO₃ 17.05 3.937 Li₂CO₃ 52.30 3.864 SiO₂ 34.56 2.076 Eu₂O₃ 0.35 0.122

The phosphor of the fifth exemplary embodiment (AB5) exhibits an emission in the green spectral range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The sixth exemplary embodiment (AB6) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure has the molecular formula Na_(1−y*)Ca_(y*)Li_(3−2y*)Al_(3y*)Si_(1−y*)O_(4−4y*)N_(4y*):Eu (where y*=0.03; Eu²⁺ approximately 2 mol % relative to the substance amount of Na and Ca) and is produced as follows: CaO, NaF, NiN₃, Li₂O, LiAlH₄, AlF₃, SiO₂ and EuF₃ are heated in a stoichiometric ratio corresponding to the molecular formula to a maximum of 950° C. in a welded shut tantalum ampoule. During the heating or firing process, the ampoule is situated in an evacuated glass tube in order to avoid oxidation of the ampoule (reduced stability) and hence bursting, which results from the vapor pressure of evaporated starting materials during heating. After cooling to room temperature, individual crystals of the phosphor can be isolated from byproducts and be structurally and optically examined. The weighed-in quantities of the starting materials are found in table 6 below.

TABLE 6 Starting material Mass/mg CaO 7.01 NaF 15.75 LiN₃ 8.15 Li₂O 21.51 LiAlH₄ 9.49 AlF₃ 10.50 SiO₂ 22.53 EuF₃ 2.09

The synthesis at comparatively low temperatures makes the phosphor very inexpensive to produce and, as a result, also economically attractive. By means of energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy on single crystals of the phosphor, an average Ca proportion of 3 mol % based on the total substance amount of Na and Ca and a nitrogen proportion of 3 mol % relative to the total substance amount of nitrogen and oxygen were determined, which accords with the formula Na_(0.97)Ca_(0.03)Li_(2.94)Al_(0.09)Si_(0.97)O_(3.88)N_(0.12):Eu.

The phosphor of the sixth exemplary embodiment (AB6) exhibits an emission in the blue-green spectral range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The seventh exemplary embodiment (AB7) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure has the molecular formula (Na_(0.25)K_(0.50)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ or NaK₂Li(Li₃SiO₄)₄:Eu²⁺ and is produced as follows: K₂CO₃, Na₂CO₃, Li₂CO₃, SiO₂ and Eu₂O₃ are mixed in a stoichiometric ratio corresponding to the molecular formula in an open nickel crucible. The weighed-in quantities of the starting materials are found in table 7 below. The nickel crucible with the mixed starting materials is heated for four hours to approximately 750° C. under a forming gas atmosphere (N₂:H₂=92.5:7.5) and then cooled. Further heating under the same forming gas atmosphere and to temperatures below the melting point of the phosphor can be carried out in order to further improve the optical properties of the phosphor. After cooling, an agglomerate of light green crystals is obtained, which are separated into individual crystals by grinding for example in an agate mortar.

TABLE 7 Starting Substance amount/ material mmol Mass/g Na₂CO₃ 1.377 0.146 K₂CO₃ 9.420 1.302 Li₂CO₃ 77.192 5.704 SiO₂ 46.117 2.771 Eu₂O₃ 0.220 0.078

The phosphor of the seventh exemplary embodiment (AB7) exhibits an emission in the green spectral range of the electromagnetic spectrum. By means of single crystal diffractometry, the molecular formula (Na_(0.25)K_(0.50)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ can be allocated to the phosphor.

The eighth exemplary embodiment (AB8) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure has the molecular formula (Rb_(0.5)Na_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ or RbNaLi₆Si₂O₈:Eu²⁺ and is produced as follows: Rb₂CO₃, Na₂CO₃, Li₂CO₃, SiO₂ and Eu₂O₃ are mixed in a stoichiometric ratio corresponding to the molecular formula in an open nickel crucible. The weighed-in quantities of the starting materials are found in table 8 below. The nickel crucible with the mixed starting materials is heated for one to eight hours to between 700° C. and 1000° C. under a forming gas atmosphere (N₂:H₂=92.5:7.5) and then cooled. The product obtained is then ground and a green powder is obtained.

Further heating under the same forming gas atmosphere and to temperatures below the melting point of the phosphor can be carried out in order to further improve the optical properties of the phosphor.

TABLE 8 Starting Substance amount/ material mmol Mass/g Rb₂CO₃ 9.64 2.226 Na₂CO₃ 8.77 0.929 Li₂CO₃ 59.2 4.371 SiO₂ 39.1 2.348 Eu₂O₃ 0.358 0.126

The phosphor of the eighth exemplary embodiment (AB8) exhibits an emission in the green spectral range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The ninth exemplary embodiment (AB9) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure has the molecular formula (Rb_(0.25)Na_(0.75))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ or RbNa₃Li₁₂Si₄O₁₆:Eu²⁺ and is produced as follows: Rb₂CO₃, Na₂CO₃, Li₂CO₃, SiO₂ and Eu₂O₃ are mixed in a stoichiometric ratio corresponding to the molecular formula in an open nickel crucible. The weighed-in quantities of the starting materials are found in table 9 below. The nickel crucible with the mixed starting materials is heated for one to eight hours to between 700° C. and 1000° C. under a forming gas atmosphere (N₂:H₂=92.5:7.5) and then cooled. The product obtained is then ground and a green powder is obtained.

Further heating under the same forming gas atmosphere and to temperatures below the melting point of the phosphor can be carried out in order to further improve the optical properties of the phosphor.

TABLE 9 Starting Substance amount/ material mmol Mass/g Rb₂CO₃ 5.521 1.275 Na₂CO₃ 14.96 1.586 Li₂CO₃ 60.28 4.454 SiO₂ 44.10 2.650 Eu₂O₃ 0.1 0.035

The phosphor of the ninth exemplary embodiment (AB9) exhibits an emission in the blue spectral range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The tenth exemplary embodiment (AB10) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure has the molecular formula Sr(Si_(0.25)Al_(−1/8+r**/2)Li_(7/8−r**/2))₄(O_(1−r**)N_(r**))₄ where r**=0.67 and thus SrSiAl_(0.84)Li_(2.16)O_(1.32)N_(2.68):Eu²⁺ and is produced as follows: NaLi₃SiO₄, SrO, LiAlH₄ and Eu₂O₃ are mixed in an open nickel crucible. The weighed-in quantities of the starting materials are found in table 10 below. The nickel crucible with the mixed starting materials is heated for one to eight hours, advantageously 2 to six hours, very particularly advantageously for four hours, to a temperature between 800° C. and 1000° C., advantageously 900° C., under a forming gas atmosphere (N₂:H₂=92.5:7.5) in a tube furnace and then cooled.

Further heating under the same forming gas atmosphere and to temperatures below the melting point of the phosphor can be carried out in order to further improve the optical properties of the phosphor.

TABLE 10 Starting Substance amount/ material mmol Mass/g NaLi₃SiO₄ 31.42 4.270 SrO 23.70 2.456 LiAlH₄ 77.12 2.922 Eu₂O₃ 1.00 0.352

The phosphor of the tenth exemplary embodiment (AB10) exhibits an emission in the yellow or yellow-orange spectral range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The composition of the tenth exemplary embodiment was determined by means of energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy on single crystals and single crystal diffractometry.

The eleventh exemplary embodiment (AB11) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure has the molecular formula Na_(1−y**)Eu_(y*)Li_(3−2y**)Al_(3y**)Si_(1−y**)O_(4−4y**)N_(4y**):Eu where y**=0.2224 and is produced as follows: CaO, LiF, LiN₃, Li₂O, LiAlH₄, SiO₂ and EuF₃ are heated to a maximum of 900° C. in a welded shut tantalum ampoule. During the heating or firing process, the ampoule is situated in an evacuated glass tube in order to avoid oxidation of the ampoule (reduced stability) and hence bursting, which results from the vapor pressure of evaporated starting materials during heating. After cooling to room temperature, individual orange crystals of the phosphor can be isolated from byproducts and be structurally and optically examined. The weighed-in quantities of the starting materials are found in table 11 below.

TABLE 11 Starting material Mass/mg Na₂O 11.02 LiF (Flux) 10 LiN₃ 11.61 Li₂O 17.72 LiAlH₄ 13.50 SiO₂ 21.37 EuF₂ 24.78

The phosphor of the eleventh exemplary embodiment (AB11) exhibits an emission in the yellow-orange spectral range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The twelfth exemplary embodiment (AB12) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure has the molecular formula SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu where x**=0.2014 and is produced as follows: SrAl₂O₄:Eu and LiN₃ are heated to a maximum of 900° C. in a welded shut tantalum ampoule. During the heating or firing process, the ampoule is situated in an evacuated glass tube in order to avoid oxidation of the ampoule (reduced stability) and hence bursting, which results from the vapor pressure of evaporated starting materials during heating. After cooling to room temperature, individual yellow/green crystals of the phosphor can be isolated from byproducts and be structurally and optically examined. The weighed-in quantities of the starting materials are found in table 12 below.

TABLE 12 Starting material Mass/mg SrAl₂O₄:Eu 30.64 LiN₃ 22.06

The phosphor can be produced at comparatively low temperatures, below 1000° C., which makes possible a cost-saving synthesis.

The phosphor of the twelfth exemplary embodiment (AB12) exhibits an emission in the green to yellow spectral range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Further exemplary embodiments of the phosphor having the molecular formula SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu are produced by mixing the starting materials in accordance with table 13 below in an open nickel crucible. The nickel crucible with the mixed starting materials is heated for one to 12 hours, advantageously 4 to 8 hours, to a temperature of between 800° C. and 1200° C., advantageously 900° C., under a forming gas atmosphere (N₂:H₂=92.5:7.5) under atmospheric pressure or slightly reduced pressure in a tube furnace and is then cooled. After cooling to room temperature, individual yellow/green crystals can be isolated.

TABLE 13 Exemplary Starting Substance embodiment x** material amount/mmol Mass/g AB12-1 0.125 SrO 70.00 7.253 Al₂O₃ 17.67 1.802 Li₃N 23.57 0.821 Eu₂O₃ 0.3524 0.124 AB12-2 0.1375 SrO 75.17 7.789 Al₂O₃ 15.18 1.548 Li₃N 15.19 0.529 Eu₂O₃ 0.3808 0.134 AB12-3 0.17 SrO 63.22 6.551 Al₂O₃ 43.00 4.385 Li₂CO₃ 21.50 1.589 Li₃N 64.51 2.247 Eu₂O₃ 0.6450 0.227 AB12-4 0.20 SrO 69.44 7.195 Al₂O₃ 49.60 5.057 Li₂CO₃ 7.092 0.524 Li₃N 56.68 1.974 Eu₂O₃ 0.7075 0.249 AB12-5 0.24 SrO 70.48 7.303 Al₂O₃ 48.90 4.986 AlN 8.636 0.354 Li₃N 60.40 2.104 Eu₂O₃ 0.7189 0.253 AB12-6 0.28 SrO 70.04 7.258 Al₂O₃ 44.79 4.567 AlN 21.91 0.898 Li₃N 58.14 2.025 Eu₂O₃ 0.7161 0.252 AB12-7 0.34 SrO 69.41 7.192 Al₂O₃ 38.72 3.948 AlN 41.55 1.703 Li₃N 54.78 1.908 Eu₂O₃ 0.7075 0.249 AB12-8 0.44 SrO 68.37 7.085 Al₂O₃ 28.83 2.940 AlN 73.48 3.012 Li₃N 49.30 1.717 Eu₂O₃ 0.6990 0.246

The thirteenth exemplary embodiment (AB13) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure has the molecular formula (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.25)K_(0.25)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ and is produced analogously to the eighth exemplary embodiment. The starting materials are indicated in table 14 below.

TABLE 14 Starting Substance amount/ material mmol Mass/g Cs₂CO₃ 4.75 1.547 Na₂CO₃ 5.16 0.547 Li₂CO₃ 62.1 4.585 K₂CO₃ 5.16 0.713 SiO₂ 41.0 2.463 Eu₂O₃ 0.412 0.145

The phosphor of the thirteenth exemplary embodiment (AB13) exhibits an emission in the green spectral range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The fourteenth exemplary embodiment (AB14) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure has the molecular formula (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.50)K_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ and is produced analogously to the eighth exemplary embodiment. The starting materials are indicated in table 15 below.

TABLE 15 Starting Substance amount/ material mmol Mass/g Cs₂CO₃ 4.50 1.466 Na₂CO₃ 9.78 1.037 Li₂CO₃ 58.8 4.347 K₂CO₃ 4.89 0.676 SiO₂ 38.9 2.336 Eu₂O₃ 0.392 0.138

The phosphor of the fourteenth exemplary embodiment (AB14) exhibits an emission in the blue spectral range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The fifteenth exemplary embodiment (AB15) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure has the molecular formula (Rb_(0.25)Na_(0.50)K_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ and is produced analogously to the eighth exemplary embodiment. The starting materials are indicated in table 16 below.

TABLE 16 Starting Substance amount/ material mmol Mass/g Rb₂CO₃ 4.70 1.086 Na₂CO₃ 10.2 1.083 Li₂CO₃ 61.5 4.541 K₂CO₃ 5.11 0.706 SiO₂ 40.6 2.440 Eu₂O₃ 0.409 0.144

The phosphor of the fifteenth exemplary embodiment (AB15) exhibits an emission in the blue spectral range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The sixteenth exemplary embodiment (AB16) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure has the molecular formula (Rb_(0.25)Na_(0.25)Cs_(0.25)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ and is produced analogously to the eighth exemplary embodiment. The starting materials are indicated in table 17 below.

TABLE 17 Starting Substance amount/ material mmol Mass/g Rb₂CO₃ 4.49 1.036 Cs₂CO₃ 4.48 1.461 Na₂CO₃ 9.34 0.990 Li₂CO₃ 56.2 4.151 SiO₂ 37.1 2.230 Eu₂O₃ 0.375 0.132

The phosphor of the sixteenth exemplary embodiment (AB16) exhibits an emission in the blue spectral range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The seventeenth exemplary embodiment (AB17) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure has the molecular formula (Na_(0.125)K_(0.875))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ or NaK₇ (Li₃SiO₄)₈:Eu²⁺ and is produced as follows: K₂CO₃, Na₂CO₃, Li₂CO₃, SiO₂ and Eu₂O₃ are mixed in a stoichiometric ratio corresponding to the molecular formula in an open nickel crucible. The weighed-in quantities of the starting materials are found in table 18 below. The nickel crucible with the mixed starting materials is heated for four hours to 1000° C. under a forming gas atmosphere (N₂:H₂=92.5:7.5) and is then cooled at a constant cooling rate to 300° C. The furnace is switched off and, after cooling to room temperature, yellow-green single crystals are isolated.

TABLE 18 Starting material Mass/mg Na₂CO₃ 25.97 K₂CO₃ 101.58 Li₂CO₃ 221.67 SiO₂ 120.17 Eu₂O₃ 7.04

The phosphor of the seventeenth exemplary embodiment (AB17) exhibits an emission in the blue-green and in the yellow-orange spectral range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosed embodiments. In the following description, various embodiments described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1BA, 1BB, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F show a selection of possible electroneutral molecular formulae of substitution experiments.

FIGS. 2, 13, 23, 38, 63, 68, 74, 82, 83, 92, 93, 102, 103, 105, 112, 118B, 129, 131, 133, 135, 152B, 154, 161, 163 show emission spectra of exemplary embodiments of the phosphor according to the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3, 14, 24, 39, 64, 84, 94, 104, 130, 132, 134, 136 show the Kubelka-Munk functions for exemplary embodiments of the phosphor according to the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4, 43, 66, 70, 76, 86, 96, 121, 123 show a comparison of optical properties of an exemplary embodiment of the phosphor according to the present disclosure with comparative examples.

FIGS. 5, 6, 44, 67, 69, 75, 85, 95, 122 show a comparison of emission spectra of an exemplary embodiment with comparative examples.

FIG. 7 shows a comparison of the Kubelka-Munk function of an exemplary embodiment with comparative examples.

FIGS. 8, 18, 25, 71, 77, 78, 88, 97, 107, 114, 137, 138, 139, 140, 160, 171, 172, 173 show excerpts from the crystal structure for exemplary embodiments of the phosphor according to the present disclosure.

FIGS. 9, 19, 40, 65, 111, 118A, 177 show X-ray diffraction powder diffractograms using copper K_(α1) radiation or molybdenum K_(α1) radiation.

FIGS. 10, 20, 26, 89, 98, 141, 142, 143, 144 show Rietveld refinements of X-ray powder diffractograms of exemplary embodiments of the phosphor according to the present disclosure.

FIGS. 11, 12, 21, 22, 27, 28, 72, 73, 79, 80, 81, 90, 91, 99, 100, 108, 109, 110, 115, 116, 117 , 126, 127, 128, 145-151, 152A, 158, 159, 174, 175, 176 show characteristic properties of exemplary embodiments of the phosphor according to the present disclosure.

FIGS. 15, 16, 124 show comparisons of emission spectra of a conversion LED with an exemplary embodiment of the phosphor according to the present disclosure with comparative examples.

FIGS. 17, 125, 164, 167 show a comparison of optical properties of a conversion LED with an exemplary embodiment of the phosphor according to the present disclosure with comparative examples.

FIG. 29 shows a comparison of emission spectra of an exemplary embodiment with comparative examples and the sensitivity curve for melatonin production.

FIG. 30 shows the overlap of emission spectra of various phosphors and various blue-emitting LEDs with the sensitivity curve for melatonin production.

FIGS. 31, 120, 165 show color loci of various phosphors in the CIE standard diagram (1931).

FIGS. 32, 33, 34 show comparisons of the color purity at different dominant wavelengths of the primary radiation of an exemplary embodiment with comparative examples.

FIGS. 35, 36, 37, 166, 168 show simulated LED spectra at various excitation wavelengths.

FIG. 41 shows the reflection positions and the relative intensity of the reflections of the X-ray diffraction powder diffractogram of an exemplary embodiment of the phosphor according to the present disclosure.

FIGS. 42, 87, 101 show the thermal quenching behavior of an exemplary embodiment of the phosphor according to the present disclosure in comparison with the conventional phosphor.

FIG. 45 shows the coverage of the color space rec2020 by different combinations of green and red phosphor.

FIGS. 46 to 53 show graphical representations of the coverage of the color space rec2020 by different combinations of green and red phosphor.

FIGS. 54A, 54AA, 54AB, 54AC, 54AD, 54B, 54BA, 54BB, 54BC, 54BD 54C, 54CA, 54CB, 54CC, and 54CD show the coverage of various standard color spaces and color loci of filtered spectra of different combinations of green and red phosphor.

FIGS. 55 to 58 show the spanned color spaces of filtered spectra with different combinations of green and red phosphor upon excitation with a primary radiation λdom=448 nm.

FIGS. 59 to 62 show the simulated emission spectra of conversion LEDs with different combinations of green and red phosphor.

FIGS. 106, 113, 119, 153, 155, 162 show optical properties of exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 156 and 157 show the dependence of the peak wavelength on the cell volume of a unit cell.

FIGS. 169 and 170 show spanned color spaces of the filtered overall radiation of various conversion LEDs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments. The embodiments may be practiced without one or several specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F show tables with possible electroneutral phosphors which are achievable by substitution experiments, analogously to the general molecular formula (MA)_(a)(MB)_(b)(MC)_(c)(MD)_(d)(TA)_(e)(TB)_(f)(TC)_(g)(TD)_(h)(TE)_(i)(TF)(XA)_(k)(XB)_(l)(XC)_(m)(XD)_(n). The substitutions shown are merely by way of example, other substitutions are likewise possible. The activator E is illustrated in each case only in the general formula and not in the concrete embodiments, but is nevertheless also present in the concrete embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates the emission spectrum of the first exemplary embodiment AB1 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure having the molecular formula NaLi₃SiO₄. The wavelength in nanometers is plotted on the x-axis and the emission intensity in percent is plotted on the y-axis. For measuring the emission spectrum, the phosphor according to the present disclosure was excited with primary radiation having a wavelength of 400 nm. The phosphor has a full width at half maximum of 32 nm or 1477 cm⁻¹ and a dominant wavelength of 473 nm; the peak wavelength is approximately 469 nm.

FIG. 3 shows a normalized Kubelka-Munk function (K/S), plotted against the wavelength λ in nm, for the first exemplary embodiment (AB1) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure. In this case, K/S was calculated as follows: K/S=(1−R_(inf))²/2R_(inf), wherein R_(inf) corresponds to the diffuse reflection of the phosphor.

It is evident from FIG. 3 that the maximum of K/S for the first exemplary embodiment (AB1) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure is approximately 360 nm. High K/S values mean a high absorption in this range. The phosphor can be efficiently excited with a primary radiation starting from approximately 300 nm to 430 nm or 440 nm.

FIG. 4 shows a comparison of the full width at half maximum (FWHM), the peak wavelength (λ_(peak)), the dominant wavelength (λ_(dom)) and the luminous efficiency (LER) between a first comparative example (VB1: BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu), a second comparative example (VB2: Sr₅(PO₄)₃Cl:Eu), a third comparative example (VB3: BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu) and the first exemplary embodiment of the phosphor according to the present disclosure NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu (AB1). VB1 and VB3 differ in the concentration of Eu. All phosphors emit radiation in the blue range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The peak wavelength of the phosphor according to the present disclosure NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu is of somewhat longer wavelength in comparison with the comparative examples. As evident, the phosphor according to the present disclosure NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu has a significantly smaller full width at half maximum and/or a higher luminous efficiency (LER) than the comparison examples. The shift in the peak wavelength to a longer wavelength and the smaller full width at half maximum result in an increase in the overlap with the eye sensitivity curve. Consequently, the phosphor according to the present disclosure has a very high luminous efficiency that is higher in comparison with the comparative examples.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the emission spectra of VB1, VB2, VB3 and AB1, as described in FIG. 4 . In FIG. 5 , the wavelength in nanometers is plotted on the x-axis and the emission intensity in percent is plotted on the y-axis. In FIG. 6 , the wave number in cm⁻¹ is plotted on the x-axis and the emission intensity in percent is plotted on the y-axis. The significantly smaller full width at half maximum of the phosphor according to the present disclosure NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu in comparison with VB1 and VB3 (BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu) becomes evident here. In contrast to AB1, moreover, BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu phosphors exhibit a low absorption starting from a wavelength of 350 nm (cf. FIG. 7 ). Together with the relatively large full width at half maximum, that results in a relatively poor color purity of the phosphors VB1 and VB3. Although the known phosphor VB2 exhibits a small full width at half maximum, it has the disadvantage that it contains chlorine. Many applications are subject to strict conditions as far as the chlorine content is concerned, and so the application of this phosphor is limited if only for this reason. The risk of the release of corrosive HCl during its production is also disadvantageous, which increases the costs for the synthesis equipment and the maintenance measures thereof.

FIG. 7 shows a normalized Kubelka-Munk function (K/S), plotted against the wavelength λ in nm, for various phosphors VB1, VB2, VB3 and AB1, as defined in FIG. 4 . The curve with the reference signs VB1, VB2 and VB3 represents K/S for known phosphors; the curve with the reference sign AB1 represents K/S for the first exemplary embodiment of the phosphor according to the present disclosure. It is evident that the phosphor according to the present disclosure AB1 has a higher absorption at longer wavelengths, in particular in the range starting from 360 nm, in comparison with the comparative examples VB1, VB2 and VB3. This is particularly advantageous since an efficient excitation of the phosphor according to the present disclosure with a primary radiation having a peak wavelength in the UV range to blue range of the electromagnetic spectrum, in particular in the range of between 300 nm and 460 nm, advantageously between 300 nm and 430 nm or 440 nm, is possible. Therefore, the phosphor according to the present disclosure is able to be employed particularly well in combination with semiconductor chips which have a primary radiation in the range of between 300 nm and 430 nm or 440 nm.

FIG. 8 shows the tetragonal crystal structure of the phosphor NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu in a schematic illustration. The hatched circles represent the Na atoms. The crystal structure corresponds to the crystal structure of NaLi₃SiO₄, as described in B. Nowitzki, R. Hoppe, Neues iber Oxide vom Typ A[(TO)_(n)]: NaLi₃SiO₄, NaLi₃GeO₄, NaLi₃TiO₄, [New findings concerning oxides of the type A[(TO)_(n)]: NaLi₃SiO₄, NaLi₃GeO₄, NaLi₃TiO₄] Revue de Chimie minérale, 1986, 23, 217-230. The crystal structure is isotypic with respect to that of CaLiAl₃N₄:Eu, described in P. Pust, A. S. Wochnik, E. Baumann, P. J. Schmidt, D. Wiechert, C. Scheu, W. Schnick, Ca[LiAl₃N₄]:Eu²⁺—A Narrow-Band Red-Emitting Nitridolithoaluminate, Chemistry of Materials 2014 26, 3544-3549.

Two X-ray diffraction powder diffractograms using copper K_(α1) radiation are indicated in FIG. 9 . The diffraction angles in °2θ values are indicated on the x-axis, and the intensity is indicated on the y-axis. The X-ray diffraction powder diffractogram provided with the reference sign I shows that of the first exemplary embodiment AB1 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu. The X-ray diffraction powder diffractogram provided with the reference sign II shows the X-ray diffraction powder diffractogram for NaLi₃SiO₄ simulated from the crystal structure of NaLi₃SiO₄ (B. Nowitzki, R. Hoppe, Neues iber Oxide vom Typ A[(TO)_(n)]: NaLi₃SiO₄, NaLi₃GeO₄, NaLi₃TiO₄ , Revue de Chimie minérale, 1986, 23, 217-230). From the correspondence of the reflections it is evident that the phosphor according to the present disclosure NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu crystallizes in the same crystal structure as NaLi₃SiO₄.

A crystallographic evaluation is found in FIG. 10 . FIG. 10 shows a Rietveld refinement of the X-ray powder diffractogram of the first exemplary embodiment AB1, that is to say for NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu. For the Rietveld refinement, the atomic parameters for NaLi₃SiO₄ (table 7 in B. Nowitzki, R. Hoppe, Revue de Chimie minérale, 1986, 23, 217-230) were used to show that the crystal structure of NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu corresponds to that of NaLi₃SiO₄. The upper diagram here illustrates the superimposition of the measured reflections with the calculated reflections for NaLi₃SiO₄. The lower diagram illustrates the differences between the measured and calculated reflections.

FIG. 11 shows crystallographic data of NaLi₃SiO₄.

FIG. 12 shows atomic positions in the structure of NaLi₃SiO₄.

FIG. 13 illustrates the emission spectrum of the second exemplary embodiment AB2 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure having the molecular formula KLi₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺. The wavelength in nanometers is plotted on the x-axis and the emission intensity in percent is plotted on the y-axis. For measuring the emission spectrum, the phosphor according to the present disclosure was excited with primary radiation having a wavelength of 400 nm. The phosphor exhibits a broadband emission from approximately 430 nm to approximately 780 nm and thus emits white radiation or the emitted radiation produces a white luminous impression. The color locus of the phosphor is advantageously near that of the Planckian radiator at 2700 K. The color locus is at the following coordinates CIE-x=0.449 and CIE-y=0.397 in the CIE standard chromaticity diagram from 1931. The color temperature (CCT) is 2742 K, the luminous efficiency is 290 lm/W, the CRI (color rendering index) is 81, and the color rendering index R9 is 21. A conversion LED comprising the phosphor according to the present disclosure KLi₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ is thus suitable in particular for general lighting.

FIG. 14 shows a normalized Kubelka-Munk function (K/S), plotted against the wavelength λ in nm, for the second exemplary embodiment (AB2) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure.

It is evident from FIG. 14 that the maximum of K/S for the second exemplary embodiment (AB2) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure is approximately 340 nm. The phosphor can be efficiently excited with a primary radiation starting from approximately 300 nm to 430 nm or 440 nm.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show simulated emission spectra of various conversion LEDs which emit white radiation. The primary radiation source used is an InGaN-based semiconductor layer sequence which emits a primary radiation having a peak wavelength of 410 nm (FIG. 15 ) or having a peak wavelength of 390 nm (FIG. 16 ). The construction of the conversion LEDs is shown in FIG. 17 . As evident, the conversion LEDs according to the present disclosure (LED 1 and LED 2) using only one phosphor, the KLi₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ according to the present disclosure, exhibit similar emission spectra to the comparative examples VLED2 and VLED1 each comprising a green and a red phosphor. The phosphor according to the present disclosure thus advantageously makes it possible to provide a conversion LED which emits warm-white light having a color temperature of less than 3500 K, advantageously less than 3000 K, and for this purpose requires only one phosphor, unlike known white-emitting conversion LEDs that require at least one green and one red phosphor in combination with a blue primary radiation.

FIG. 17 compares various properties of conversion LEDs comprising the phosphor according to the present disclosure KLi₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ (LED1, LED2) and the comparative examples (VLED1 and VLED2). In this case, λ_(prim) stands for the wavelength of the primary radiation. The first and second phosphors are indicated in the third and fourth columns. CIE-x and CIE-y indicate the color coordinates x and y of the radiation in the CIE standard chromaticity diagram from 1931. CCT/K indicates the correlated color temperature of the overall radiation in kelvins. R9 stands for a color rendering index known to the person skilled in the art (saturated red). LER stands for the luminous efficiency (“luminous efficacy”) in lumens per watt. As evident, the conversion LEDs comprising the phosphor according to the present disclosure KLi₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ as sole phosphor have similar optical properties to conventional conversion LEDs based on two phosphors. In this case, however, the disadvantages arising from the use of two or more phosphors are eliminated. Firstly, the resulting spectrum is greatly dependent on the used ratio of the phosphors. As a result of batch fluctuations in phosphor production, frequent adaptations of the concentration of the phosphors are necessary as a result, which makes the production of the conversion LEDs very complicated. The phosphors additionally exhibit different emission properties depending on temperature, the radiance of the primary radiation and the excitation wavelength and additionally exhibit a different degradation behavior, that is to say a different stability with regard to temperature, radiation, moisture or gas influences. The production of phosphor mixtures may also be difficult if the phosphors differ greatly in their physical properties such as, for example, density, grain size and in the sedimentation behavior. With the use of two phosphors, all these effects lead to fluctuating color locus distributions and color shifts under changing operating conditions, for example current and/or temperature, in the products. In order conventionally to obtain a high color rendering index, advantageously with low color temperature, in particular less than 3500 K or less than 3000 K, red-emitting phosphors are required. However, all known red-emitting phosphors can only be synthesized by means of complex production methods and are therefore very much more expensive than known green and yellow phosphors. By contrast, the phosphor according to the present disclosure KLi₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ can be produced cost-effectively since the starting materials are commercially available, stable and moreover very inexpensive. Moreover, the synthesis does not require an inert gas atmosphere and therefore proves to be comparatively simple.

The use of the phosphor according to the present disclosure in a white-emitting conversion LED has numerous advantages. It is possible to use a primary radiation which is not perceived or is only scarcely perceived by the human eye (300 nm to 430 nm or 440 nm). Fluctuations of the primary radiations thus do not adversely affect the overall radiation properties. No color adaptation is required since the emission spectrum is constant. The conversion LEDs can be produced with a high throughput since color adaptation or complex chip binning is not required. No color shifts or other negative effects on the emission spectrum as a result of selective degradation of only one phosphor or changes in the primary radiation caused by temperature or forward current fluctuations occur. Furthermore, the conversion LED does not have an inherent color, but rather exhibits a white appearance in the switched-off state. Therefore, the phosphor is also suitable for “remote phosphor” arrangements in which a yellow or orange appearance in the switched-off state is not desired. A partial conversion of the primary radiation can also be carried out depending on the application. Since it is possible to excite the phosphor with a primary radiation in the range of 300 nm to 430 nm or 440 nm, a contribution of the primary radiation, advantageously in the short-wave blue range of the electromagnetic spectrum, to the overall radiation has the effect that objects illuminated thereby appear whiter, more radiant and therefore more attractive. By way of example, optical brightening agents in textiles can be excited thereby.

FIG. 18 shows a triclinic crystal structure of the phosphor KLi₃SiO₄:Eu in a schematic illustration. The hatched circles represent the K atoms. The crystal structure corresponds to the crystal structure of KLi₃SiO₄, as described in K. Werthmann, R. Hoppe, Über Oxide des neuen Formeltyps A[(T₄O₄)]: Zur Kenntnis von KLi₃GeO₄, KLi₃SiO₄ und KLi₃TiO₄ [Regarding oxides of the new formula type A[(T₄O₄)]: Zur Kenntnis von KLi₃GeO₄, KLi₃SiO₄ and KLi₃TiO₄], Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem., 1984, 509, 7-22. The crystal structure is isotypic with respect to that of SrLiAl₃N₄:Eu, described in P. Pust, V. Weiler, C. Hecht, A. Tücks, A. S. Wochnik, A.-K. Henß, D. Wiechert, C. Scheu, P. J. Schmidt, W. Schnick, Narrow-Band Red-Emitting Sr[LiAl₃N₄]:Eu²⁺ as a Next-Generation LED-Phosphor Material Nat. Mater. 2014 13, 891-896.

Two X-ray diffraction powder diffractograms using copper K_(α1) radiation are indicated in FIG. 19 . The diffraction angles in °2θ values are indicated on the x-axis and the intensity is indicated on the y-axis. The X-ray diffraction powder diffractogram provided with the reference sign III shows that of the second exemplary embodiment of the phosphor according to the present disclosure KLi₃SiO₄:Eu. The X-ray diffraction powder diffractogram provided with the reference sign IV shows the X-ray diffraction powder diffractogram for KLi₃SiO₄ simulated from the crystal structure of KLi₃SiO₄. From the correspondence of the reflections it is evident that the phosphor according to the present disclosure KLi₃SiO₄:Eu crystallizes in the same crystal structure as KLi₃SiO₄.

A crystallographic evaluation is found in FIG. 20 . FIG. 20 shows a Rietveld refinement of the X-ray powder diffractogram of the second exemplary embodiment AB2, that is to say KLi₃SiO₄:Eu. For the Rietveld refinement, the atomic parameters for KLi₃SiO₄ (K. Werthmann, R. Hoppe, Über Oxide des neuen Formeltyps A[(T4O4)]: Zur Kenntnis von KLi3GeO4, KLi3SiO4 und KLi3TiO4, Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem., 1984, 509, 7-22) are used to show that the crystal structure of KLi₃SiO₄:Eu corresponds to that of KLi₃SiO₄. In this case, the upper diagram illustrates the superimposition of the measured reflections with the calculated reflections for KLi₃SiO₄. The lower diagram illustrates the differences between the measured and calculated reflections. A peak of an unknown secondary phase has been marked with an asterisk.

FIG. 21 shows crystallographic data of KLi₃SiO₄.

FIG. 22 shows atomic positions in the structure of KLi₃SiO₄.

FIG. 23 illustrates the emission spectrum of the third exemplary embodiment AB3 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure having the molecular formula (Na_(0.5)K_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺. The wavelength in nanometers is plotted on the x-axis and the emission intensity in percent is plotted on the y-axis. For measuring the emission spectrum, the phosphor according to the present disclosure was excited with primary radiation having a wavelength of 400 nm. The phosphor has a full width at half maximum of less than 20 nm and a peak wavelength of 486 nm. With this small full width at half maximum, this phosphor belongs to the most narrowband Eu²⁺-doped phosphors known. The peak wavelength is in the blue-green spectral range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which spectral range can also be referred to as cyan-colored. Only a small number of phosphors having a peak wavelength in this range have been known hitherto and none of these phosphors has such a small full width at half maximum. With a peak wavelength of 486 nm and the small full width at half maximum, the phosphor has a good overlap with the eye sensitivity curve. The conversion of the UV or blue primary radiation into a secondary radiation having a somewhat longer wavelength in the blue range of the electromagnetic spectrum (peak wavelength of 486 nm), increases the efficiency of the conversion LED. The peak wavelength of the secondary radiation is closer to the eye sensitivity maximum at 555 nm in comparison with the primary radiation, whereby the emitted radiation has a higher overlap with the eye sensitivity curve and is thus perceived as brighter. Similar optical properties are also obtained with AB9, AB14, AB15 and AB16.

FIG. 24 shows a normalized Kubelka-Munk function (K/S), plotted against the wavelength λ in nm, for the third exemplary embodiment (AB3) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure.

It is evident from FIG. 24 that the maximum of K/S for the third exemplary embodiment (AB3) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure is between 350 nm and 420 nm. Up to 500 nm, K/S is significantly above the value zero. The phosphor (Na_(0.5)K_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ can be efficiently excited with a primary radiation starting from approximately 340 nm.

FIG. 25 shows the tetragonal crystal structure of the phosphor (Na_(0.5)K_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ in a schematic illustration. The hatched circles represent the Na atoms; the circles enclosing white areas represent the K atoms. The crystal structure was determined from X-ray powder diffractogram data. The crystal structure of CsKNa₂Li₁₂Si₄O₁₆ with Cs being substituted by K was used as the starting point.

A crystallographic evaluation is found in FIG. 26 . FIG. 26 shows a Rietveld refinement of the X-ray powder diffractogram of the third exemplary embodiment AB3, that is to say (Na_(0.5)K_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺. The parameters and atomic coordinates of all non-Li atoms were freely refined. In this case, the upper diagram illustrates the superimposition of the measured reflections with the calculated reflections for CsKNa₂Li₁₂Si₄O₁₆. The lower diagram illustrates the differences between the measured and calculated reflections. The phosphor (Na_(0.5)K_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ is structurally isotypic with respect to the compounds CsKNa₂Li₈{Li[SiO₄]}₄, RbNa₃Li₈{Li[SiO₄]}₄, CsNa₃Li₈{Li[GeO₄]}₄ and RbNa₃Li₈{Li[TiO₄]}₄. The structure is also similar to that of the first exemplary embodiment NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu and the second exemplary embodiment KLi₃SiO₄:Eu of the phosphor according to the present disclosure, but has a complicated arrangement of the alkali metals.

FIG. 27 shows crystallographic data of (Na_(0.5)K_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄.

FIG. 28 shows atomic positions in the structure of (Na_(0.5)K_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄.

FIG. 29 shows the emission spectra of the third exemplary embodiment of the phosphor according to the present disclosure AB3 and three comparative examples C1S, OS and G, wherein C1S stands for Ca₈Mg(SiO₄)₄Cl₂:Eu, OS stands for (Sr,Ba)₂SiO₄:Eu and G stands for Lu₃(Al,Ga)₅O₁₂:Ce. All the phosphors emit in the blue to blue-green range of the electromagnetic spectrum. AB3, as evident, has the smallest full width at half maximum and the peak wavelength is shifted to shorter wavelengths in comparison with the comparative examples. Therefore, the phosphor according to the present disclosure is suitable for example for an application in signal lights such as blue lights of, for example, police vehicles, ambulances, emergency doctor vehicles or fire department vehicles, the dominant wavelength of which is advantageously in a range of between 465 nm and 480 nm. The use of the comparative examples is less well suited thereto since the peak wavelengths thereof are above 510 nm, whereas the phosphor according to the present disclosure has a peak wavelength of 486 nm. On account of similar optical properties, AB9, AB14, AB15 and AB16 are also suitable for an application in signal lights.

The curve designated by smel shows the sensitivity curve for melatonin production, that is to say with what wavelengths melatonin production in the body can best be suppressed (“human response function for melanopic effects”; Lucas et al., Trends in Neurosciences January 2014 Vol. 37 No. 1). As evident, the emission spectrum of AB3 exhibits a high overlap with smel, and so this radiation can be effectively used for suppressing the formation of melatonin. Such irradiation can lead to an increased vigilance or ability to concentrate.

FIG. 30 shows the overlap of emission spectra of various phosphors (AB3, CIS, OS and G, as described under FIG. 29 ) and various blue-emitting LEDs (unconverted) with the sensitivity curve for melatonin production. The LEDs are light-emitting diodes having InGaN-based semiconductor chips. The LEDs Ipeak430 nm (peak wavelength of 430 nm) and Ipeak435 nm (peak wavelength of 435 nm) are not usually commercially available in large numbers, but are very efficient. The LEDs Ipeak440 nm (peak wavelength of 440 nm), Ipeak445 nm (peak wavelength of 445 nm), Ipeak450 nm (peak wavelength of 450 nm) and Ipeak455 nm (peak wavelength of 455 nm) are commercially available, inexpensive and efficient. The LEDs Ipeak460 nm (peak wavelength of 460 nm), Ipeak465 nm (peak wavelength of 465 nm) and Ipeak470 nm (peak wavelength of 470 nm) have only low efficiency and are not usually commercially available. InGaN-based semiconductor chips can in principle emit a radiation having a peak wavelength of up to 500 nm, although the efficiency decreases as the wavelength increases, for which reason they are produced in large numbers usually only up to a peak wavelength of up to approximately 460 nm. As a result, the areas of application for InGaN-based semiconductor chips in light-emitting diodes (without phosphor) are limited. As evident, the emission of the phosphor according to the present disclosure AB3 exhibits a greater overlap with the sensitivity curve for melatonin production than the phosphors C1S, OS and G and also than the InGaN-based LEDs. Melatonin production can thus be efficiently suppressed with the phosphor according to the present disclosure. On account of similar optical properties, AB9, AB14, AB15 and AB16 are also suitable for suppressing melatonin production.

FIG. 31 shows the CIE standard diagram (1931), wherein the CIE-x portion of the primary color red is plotted on the x-axis and the CIE-y portion of the primary color green is plotted on the y-axis. The color loci of various phosphors (AB3, C1S, OS and G, as described under FIG. 29 ) are depicted in the CIE standard diagram. The black quadrilaterals represent color loci of various blue and blue-green InGaN semiconductor chips having peak wavelengths of between 430 nm and 492 nm and dominant wavelengths of between 436 nm and 493 nm. The black dot marks the white point Ew having the coordinates CIE-x=1/3 and CIE-y=1/3. The black lines linking the color loci of a blue indium gallium nitride semiconductor chip (λpeak=445 nm; λdom=449 nm) with the color loci of the phosphors represent the conversion lines of conversion LEDs that are constructed from the indium gallium nitride semiconductor chip and corresponding phosphors. The area identified by EVL shows the typical blue color space for products for application in the field of signal lights for police vehicles, for example. The open circles mark color loci having 100% color purity for selected dominant wavelengths at 468 nm, 476 nm and 487 nm. The dashed line represents color loci having dominant wavelengths at 487 nm with varying color purity. Color loci on this dashed line which lie nearer to the open circle 487 exhibit higher color purities than color loci that lie nearer to the white point E. The advantageous effects of the new phosphor AB3 become clear from this figure: the conversion line (KL) of a typical blue LED to the color locus of the phosphor according to the present disclosure AB3 intersects the EVL color space in the center, whereas the conversion lines of the same blue LED comprising the phosphors OS, C1S and G exhibit only a small overlap with the EVL color space. It is thus advantageously possible to obtain a plurality of color spaces within the EVL color space by using the phosphor AB3 by comparison with the conventional phosphors. Moreover, the conversion line K intersects the dashed line for the dominant wavelength 487 nm at the point I1, which has a higher color purity in comparison with the intersection points of the conversion lines of the known phosphors. The same improvement in the color purity using the phosphor according to the present disclosure AB3 is also manifested for other target dominant wavelengths, in particular within the EVL color space. The corresponding lines are not shown, for the sake of clarity. A high color purity results in a more saturated color impression. The phosphor according to the present disclosure thus makes it possible to obtain additional color loci which have not been able to be achieved hitherto. The phosphor according to the present disclosure (Na_(0.5)K_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ is therefore particularly suitable for conversion LEDs which emit a blue radiation with high color saturation. These conversion LEDs are suitable for use in blue lights or else for “color on demand” applications. On account of similar optical properties, AB9, AB14, AB15 and AB16 are also suitable for conversion LEDs which emit a blue radiation with high color saturation.

FIGS. 32, 33 and 34 show a comparison of the achievable color purities of different conversion LEDs at various target dominant wavelengths and wavelengths of the primary radiation. In order to carry out the simulation experiments, a blue semiconductor chip was combined with the different phosphors AB3, C1S, OS and G. Semiconductor chips based on InGaN and having a high efficiency were used in this case. The content of phosphor was varied for each experiment in order to attain the target dominant wavelength; the color purity was subsequently determined from the resulting spectra. The results show that for all chosen target dominant wavelengths and all chosen wavelengths of the primary radiation, the conversion LEDs comprising the phosphor AB3 and also comprising AB9, AB14, AB15 and AB16 (not shown) exhibit a significantly higher color purity than the comparative examples.

FIGS. 35, 36 and 37 shows the simulated emission spectra of the conversion LEDs corresponding to FIGS. 32, 33 and 34 . In this case, FIG. 35 shows the emission spectra of a conversion LED having a primary radiation of 430 nm and of a conversion LED having a primary radiation of 455 nm in each case comprising the phosphor AB3 at a target dominant wavelength of 468 nm. FIG. 36 shows the emission spectra of a conversion LED having a primary radiation of 430 nm and of a conversion LED having a primary radiation of 455 nm in each case comprising the phosphor AB3 at a target dominant wavelength of 487 nm. FIG. 37 shows the emission spectra of a conversion LED having a primary radiation of 430 nm and of a conversion LED having a primary radiation of 455 nm in each case comprising the phosphor AB3 at a target dominant wavelength of 476 nm.

FIG. 38 illustrates the emission spectrum of the fourth exemplary embodiment AB4 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure having the molecular formula (Na_(0.25)K_(0.75))Li₃SiO₄:Eu^(2+.) The wavelength in nm is plotted on the x-axis and the emission intensity in % is plotted on the y-axis. For measuring the emission spectrum, the phosphor according to the present disclosure was excited with a primary radiation having a wavelength of 400 nm. The phosphor has a full width at half maximum of less than 50 nm, a peak wavelength of 529 nm, a dominant wavelength of 541 nm and a color locus in the CIE color space having the coordinates CIE-x: 0.255 and CIE-y: 0.680. The narrow full width at half maximum of the phosphor leads to a saturated green emission of the phosphor.

FIG. 39 shows a normalized Kubelka-Munk function (K/S), plotted against the wavelength λ in nm, for the fourth exemplary embodiment (AB4) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure. The phosphor according to the present disclosure can be efficiently excited with a primary radiation in the range of between 330 nm and 500 nm, advantageously 340 nm to 460 nm, particularly advantageously 350 nm to 450 nm. As a result, the phosphor is suitable in particular for backlighting applications, using a semiconductor chip with a primary radiation in the near UV range or blue range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

FIG. 40 shows the X-ray powder diffractogram of the fourth exemplary embodiment AB4. The intensity is indicated on the y-axis and the °2θ values are indicated on the x-axis. The reflection positions and the relative intensity in % of the reflection positions of the X-ray powder diffractogram are indicated in FIG. 41 .

In FIG. 42 , the emission intensity in % is plotted against the temperature in ° C. As evident, the exemplary embodiment AB4 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure exhibits a high thermal stability. FIG. 42 shows the thermal quenching behavior of the phosphor according to the present disclosure AB4 in comparison with a conventional phosphor OS2, a green orthosilicate of the formula (Sr,Ba)₂SiO₄:Eu. The phosphors were excited with a blue primary radiation having a wavelength of 460 nm at various temperatures from 25 to 225° C. and their emission intensity was recorded in the process. It is clearly evident that the phosphor AB4 according to the present disclosure has a significantly smaller loss of emission intensity at typical temperatures that prevail in a conversion LED, in particular temperatures above 140° C. The phosphor can thus advantageously be used even at higher operating temperatures in conversion LEDs.

FIG. 43 shows various optical properties of the fourth exemplary embodiment of the phosphor according to the present disclosure AB4 in comparison with conventional phosphors G2 and OS2. In this case, OS2 stands for a phosphor of the formula (Sr,Ba)₂SiO₄:Eu and G2 stands for a phosphor of the formula Lu₃(Al,Ga)₅O₁₂:Ce. All three phosphors exhibit a similar dominant wavelength. In this case, however, the phosphor AB4 according to the present disclosure exhibits a significantly higher luminous efficiency (LER) and a significantly higher color purity. This leads to an improved color saturation, as a result of which it is possible to achieve a higher color space coverage, and to an improved overall efficiency. The reason for the improved properties is the small full width at half maximum of the fourth exemplary embodiment AB4 having the formula (Na_(0.25)K_(0.75))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ of the phosphor according to the present disclosure in comparison with the conventional phosphors. On account of a similar position of the peak wavelengths and values of the full width at half maximum, the exemplary embodiments AB5, AB7, AB13 and AB8 likewise exhibit improved properties. The high luminous efficiency increases the efficiency of green conversion LEDs having partial or full conversion in comparison with green conversion LEDs comprising known green phosphors having a comparable dominant and/or peak wavelength.

FIG. 44 shows a comparison of the emission spectra of the fourth exemplary embodiment AB4 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure in comparison with the conventional phosphors G2 and OS2 described under FIG. 43 .

FIG. 45 shows the coverage of the color space rec2020 (xy) in the CIE color space system and rec2020 (u′v′) in the CIE LUV color space system (1976) by different combinations of a green phosphor and a red phosphor in conjunction with a blue primary radiation of varying dominant wavelength. In this case AB4 stands for the fourth exemplary embodiment (Na_(0.25)K_(0.75))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ of the phosphor according to the present disclosure and AB5 stands for the fifth exemplary embodiment (Rb_(0.5)Li_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄ of the phosphor according to the present disclosure, and BS stands for a conventional green-emitting beta-SiAlON:Eu phosphor. The proportions of blue, green and red radiation were adapted such that the white color locus for typical backlighting applications (CIE-x=0.278 and CIE-y=0.255) was obtained. Typical color filter curves were applied to the resulting spectrum and the resulting color loci for blue, green and red were calculated. The overlap of the resulting color space with the standard color spaces was then calculated and compared. In all cases it is evident that the spectra obtained with the exemplary embodiments AB4 and AB5 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure result in a greater coverage of the respective color space. Like AB4 and AB5, AB7, AB13 and AB8 also have a high coverage of the respective color space on account of the similar peak wavelength and full width at half maximum (FIGS. 76, 129, 86 ) in combination with the red phosphors indicated in FIG. 45 . A greater bandwidth of colors can thus be rendered with the phosphors according to the present disclosure. Thus, by way of example, a display device, such as a display, having a conversion LED comprising the phosphor according to the present disclosure can render a significantly increased number of colors by comparison with what has been possible hitherto with conventional phosphors.

FIGS. 46 to 53 show a graphical representation of the results of the color space coverage as described in FIG. 45 for a dominant wavelength of the primary radiation at 448 nm. The second red phosphor used, together with its molecular formula, is indicated in each of the diagrams.

FIGS. 54A, 54B and 54C show a more comprehensive list of the data from FIG. 45 , which additionally show the color loci of the filtered spectra and coverages with other standard color spaces.

FIGS. 55 to 58 show the spanned color spaces of various examples of the combinations illustrated in FIG. 45 with a wavelength of the primary radiation λdom=448 nm. Each figure shows a comparison of three different green phosphors (AB4, AB5 or BS) in each case combined with a red phosphor, which is indicated with its molecular formula in the figures. The color spaces spanned by the filtered spectra with the exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure AB4 and AB5 are almost congruent. It is evident that a greater bandwidth of colors can be rendered with the exemplary embodiments AB4 and AB5 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure, primarily in the green and red corners of the spanned color triangle (marked by arrows). A similar behavior is also obtained with the exemplary embodiments AB7, AB13 and AB8 (not illustrated). This is assigned to the very narrowband emission of the phosphors according to the present disclosure AB4 and AB5, AB7, AB13 and AB8. The bandwidth of green colors is thus increased by the use of the phosphors according to the present disclosure AB4, AB5, AB7, AB13 and AB8 in comparison with conventional phosphors. The narrow full width at half maximum of the phosphors according to the present disclosure additionally reduces the radiation loss that arises as a result of the filtering. In comparison with the known phosphor β-SiAlON (BS), the phosphors according to the present disclosure can be produced on the basis of inexpensive starting materials and moreover the synthesis is carried out at moderate temperatures. This keeps the production costs low, which makes the phosphors also economically highly attractive for the production of mass-produced products such as LCD televisions, computer monitors or displays for smartphones or tablets.

FIGS. 59 to 62 show the corresponding conversion LED spectra of the examples of FIGS. 55 to 58 . The red phosphor is indicated together with its molecular formula in the figures.

FIG. 63 illustrates the emission spectrum of the fifth exemplary embodiment AB5 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure having the molecular formula (Rb_(0.5)Li_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄. The wavelength in nm is plotted on the x-axis and the emission intensity in % is plotted on the y-axis. For measuring the emission spectrum, the phosphor according to the present disclosure was excited with light having a wavelength of 400 nm.

The phosphor has a full width at half maximum of 43 nm and a peak wavelength of 528 mm and a dominant wavelength of 539 nm. The coordinates CIE-x and CIE-y are at 0.238 and 0.694. The phosphor thus proves to be very suitable for backlighting applications that have to have a saturated green hue.

FIG. 64 shows a standardized Kubelka-Munk function (K/S), plotted against the wavelength λ in nm, for the fifth exemplary embodiment of the phosphor according to the present disclosure. The maximum of K/S for the fifth exemplary embodiment of the phosphor according to the present disclosure is approximately 400 nm, although the range of high absorption extends into the blue-green spectral range up to approximately 500 nm. Therefore, the phosphor can be efficiently excited with a primary radiation having a wavelength of between 330 and 500 nm, advantageously 340 and 460 nm, particularly advantageously 350 to 450 nm.

FIG. 65 shows the X-ray powder diffractogram of the fifth exemplary embodiment AB5 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure with the reference sign V. The X-ray powder diffractogram provided with the reference sign VI shows a simulated diffractogram of the compound RbLi(Li₃SiO₄)₂ (K. Bernet, R. Hoppe, Ein “Lithosilicat” mit Kolumnareinheiten: RbLi₅{Li[SiO₄]}₂ [A “lithosilicate” having columnar units: RbLi₅{Li[SiO₄]}₂], Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem., 1991, 592, 93-105). Peaks in the X-ray powder diffractogram V which can be assigned to the secondary phase Li₄SiO₄ are identified by asterisks.

FIG. 66 shows various optical properties of the fifth exemplary embodiment of the phosphor according to the present disclosure AB5 in comparison with conventional phosphors G1 and OS1. In this case, OS1 stands for a phosphor of the formula (Sr,Ba)₂SiO₄:Eu and G1 stands for a phosphor of the formula Lu₃(Al,Ga)₅O₁₂:Ce. In comparison with the phosphors G2 and OS2, the phosphors G1 and OS1 have a different Eu and Ce content, respectively, in order in each case to obtain the same dominant wavelength as the exemplary embodiment AB5. All three phosphors exhibit a similar dominant wavelength. In this case, however, the phosphor according to the present disclosure AB5 exhibits a significantly higher luminous efficiency (LER) and a significantly higher color purity. This leads to an improved color saturation, whereby a higher color space coverage can be achieved, and to an improved overall efficiency. The reason for the improved properties is the full width at half maximum of the fourth exemplary embodiment AB5 having the formula (Rb_(0.5)Li_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄ of the phosphor according to the present disclosure in comparison with the conventional phosphors. The high luminous efficiency increases the efficiency of green conversion LEDs having partial or full conversion in comparison with green conversion LEDs comprising known green phosphors having a comparable peak wavelength.

FIG. 67 shows a comparison of the emission spectra of the fifth exemplary embodiment AB5 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure in comparison with the conventional phosphors G1 and OS1 described under FIG. 66 .

FIG. 68 illustrates the emission spectrum of the first exemplary embodiment AB1 having the molecular formula NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu and of the sixth exemplary embodiment AB6 having the molecular formula Na_(0.97)Ca_(0.03)Li_(2.94)Al_(0.09)Si_(0.97)O_(3.88)N_(0.12):Eu. The wavelength in nanometers is plotted on the x-axis and the emission intensity in percent is plotted on the y-axis. For measuring the emission spectrum, the phosphors according to the present disclosure were excited with primary radiation having a wavelength of 400 nm (AB1) and 460 nm (AB6). The phosphor AB1 has a full width at half maximum of 32 nm or 1477 cm⁻¹ and a dominant wavelength of 473 nm; the peak wavelength is approximately 469 nm. The phosphor AB6 has a full width at half maximum of 72.8 nm, a dominant wavelength of 548 nm; the peak wavelength is approximately 516.9 nm. The color locus of AB6 is at the following coordinates CIE-x=0.301 and CIE-y=0.282 in the CIE standard chromaticity diagram from 1931. The luminous efficiency of AB6 is 432.8 lm/W. The different properties of AB1 and AB6, in particular the peak wavelength of Na_(0.97)Ca_(0.03)Li_(2.94)Al_(0.09)Si_(0.97)O_(3.88)N_(0.12):Eu shifted into the longer-wavelength range in comparison with NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu, are due to a greater nephelauxetic effect of the nitrogen atoms surrounding the activator ions, here the Eu²⁺ ions, in the mixed phase Na_(0.97)Ca_(0.03)Li_(2.94)Al_(0.09)Si_(0.97)O_(3.88)N_(0.12):Eu. The higher the proportion of nitrogen in the vicinity of the activator ions, the longer the peak wavelength. As a result, with an increasing nitrogen content and thus with a rising value for y* in the phosphor Na_(1−y*)Ca_(y*)Li_(3−2y*)A_(3y*)Si_(1−y)O_(4−4y*)N_(4y*):Eu, the peak wavelength can be shifted within the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum, in particular in a range of between 470 nm and 670 nm. The phosphor is thus suitable in particular for lighting devices or conversion LEDs in which phosphors having very specific properties are required (so-called “color on demand” applications).

FIG. 69 shows the emission spectra of AB6 (excitation wavelength 460 nm) and four garnet phosphors as comparative examples (excitation wavelength in each case 460 nm; 440 nm in the case of Y₃Al₃Ga₂O₁₂:Ce). In comparison with the known garnet phosphors Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce, Y₃Al₃Ga₂O₁₂:Ce and Lu₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce, the exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure AB6 has a peak wavelength shifted to shorter wavelengths and a smaller full width at half maximum. A similar peak wavelength to AB6 is exhibited by Lu₃Al₃Ga₂O₁₂:Ce. In comparison with the garnet phosphors Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce, Y₃Al₃Ga₂O₁₂:Ce and Lu₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce, the peak wavelength of AB6 and Lu₃Al₃Ga₂O₁₂:Ce lies nearer to the blue spectral range, in which in conventional conversion LEDs a spectral gap may disadvantageously be found, in which no or only very little light is emitted. Said spectral gap results in poor color rendering. Therefore, Lu₃Al₃Ga₂O₁₂:Ce is often used to reduce the spectral gap. In comparison with Lu₃Al₃Ga₂O₁₂:Ce, however, the sixth exemplary embodiment Na_(0.97)Ca_(0.03)Li_(2.94)Al_(0.09)Si_(0.97)O_(3.88)N_(0.12):Eu has a significantly smaller full width at half maximum and, owing to the smaller full width at half maximum, a greater color purity. An additional factor is that the exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure AB6 has a higher overlap with the eye sensitivity curve, thus resulting in a higher luminous efficiency. A comparison of the optical data is shown in FIG. 70 . The percentages indicated between parentheses reflect the changes in the values in comparison with Lu₃Al₃Ga₂O₁₂:Ce. The conversion of the UV or blue primary radiation into a secondary radiation having a wavelength in the green range of the electromagnetic spectrum (peak wavelength of 516.9 nm) increases the efficiency of a conversion LED. In comparison with the primary radiation, the peak wavelength of the secondary radiation is nearer to the eye sensitivity maximum at 555 nm, as a result of which the emitted radiation has a higher overlap with the eye sensitivity curve and is thus perceived as brighter. Conversion LEDs comprising the phosphor in particular in combination with a green and red phosphor are suitable in particular for white conversion LEDs, for example for general lighting. In particular, a white overall radiation having a high color temperature can be generated.

FIG. 71 shows the tetragonal crystal structure of the phosphor Na_(0.97)Ca_(0.03)Li_(2.94)Al_(0.09)Si_(0.97)O_(3.88)N_(0.12):Eu in a schematic illustration along the crystallographic c-axis. The structure was determined by X-ray analysis of a single crystal of the phosphor. The hatched circles represent the mixed occupied positions for the Na and Ca atoms. The hatched regions represent the mixed occupied Li/Si/Al-O/N tetrahedra. The crystal structure corresponds to the crystal structure of NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu (see FIG. 8 ). The crystal structure is isotypic with respect to that of CaLiAl₃N₄:Eu, described in P. Pust, A. S. Wochnik, E. Baumann, P. J. Schmidt, D. Wiechert, C. Scheu, W. Schnick, Ca[LiAl₃N₄]:Eu²⁺—A Narrow-Band Red-Emitting Nitridolithoaluminate, Chemistry of Materials 2014 26, 3544-3549.

FIG. 72 shows crystallographic data of Na_(0.97)Ca_(0.03)Li_(2.94)Al_(0.09)Si_(0.97)O_(3.88)N_(0.12):Eu.

FIG. 73 shows atomic positions in the structure of Na_(0.97)Ca_(0.03)Li_(2.94)Al_(0.09)Si_(0.97)O_(3.88)N_(0.12):Eu.

FIG. 74 illustrates the emission spectrum of the seventh exemplary embodiment AB7 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure having the molecular formula (Na_(0.25)K_(0.5)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺. For measuring the emission spectrum, a single crystal of the phosphor according to the present disclosure was excited with a primary radiation having a wavelength of 460 nm. The phosphor has a full width at half maximum of less than 50 nm, a peak wavelength of 532 nm, a dominant wavelength of 540.3 nm and a color locus in the CIE color space having the coordinates CIE-x: 0.235 and CIE-y: 0.640. The narrow full width at half maximum of the phosphor leads to a saturated green emission of the phosphor. The phosphor (K_(1−r″−r′″)Na_(r″)Li_(r′″))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or (K_(1−r″−r′″)Na_(r″)Li_(r′″)) where 0<r″<0.5 and 0<r″<0.5, in particular (Na_(0.25)K_(0.5)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu^(2+,) is therefore particularly attractive for its use in a conversion LED in which a narrowband emission in the green spectral range is required, such as for the backlighting of LCD displays.

FIG. 75 shows the emission spectra of AB7 and a β-SiAlON:Eu (BS) as comparative example. The phosphors have comparable peak and dominant wavelengths and color purities, although AB7 exhibits a smaller full width at half maximum and, associated therewith, a greater luminous efficiency and higher color purity. This leads to an improved color saturation, as a result of which it is possible to achieve a higher color space coverage, and to an improved overall efficiency. The reason for the improved properties is the small full width at half maximum of the seventh exemplary embodiment AB7 having the formula (Na_(0.25)K_(0.50)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ of the phosphor according to the present disclosure in comparison with the known phosphor BS. The high luminous efficiency increases the efficiency of green conversion LEDs having partial or full conversion in comparison with green conversion LEDs comprising known green phosphors having a comparable dominant and/or peak wavelength. The optical data of the phosphors AB7 and BS are shown in FIG. 76 . The phosphor K_(1−r″−r′″)Na_(r″)Li_(r′″))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or (K_(1−r″−r′″)Na_(r″)Li_(r′″))₁Li₃SiO₄:E where 0<r″<0.5 and 0<r′″<0.5, in particular (Na_(0.25)K_(0.5)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺, thus proves to be very suitable for applications in which a saturated green hue is desired, as in backlighting applications.

FIG. 77 shows the monoclinic crystal structure of the phosphor (Na_(0.25)K_(0.50)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ in a schematic illustration along the crystallographic b-axis. The black circles represent Na atoms, the hatched circles represent K atoms and the circles enclosing white areas represent the Li atoms. The phosphor AB7 crystallizes in the same space group, C2/m, as the fifth exemplary embodiment (Rb_(0.5)Li_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ with comparable lattice parameters. The crystal structures of the phosphors (Na_(0.25)K_(0.50)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu and (Rb_(0.5)Li_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ have identical (Li₃SiO₄) structural units. The occupation of the channels within these structural units is different in this case, however. (Rb_(0.5)Li_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ contains two types of channels, wherein one channel is occupied only by Rb and the other is occupied only by Li, while (Na_(0.25)K_(0.50)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu also contains two types of channels, wherein one channel is occupied only by K and the other channel is occupied only by Li and Na. The arrangement of Na and K in (Na_(0.25)K_(0.50)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu is similar to the arrangement in CsKNaLi(Li₃SiO₄)₄, as described in K. Bernet, R. Hoppe, Z. Anorg. Chem., 1991, 592, 93-105. The exact arrangement of Na and Li within a channel cannot be ascertained by means of X-ray diffraction. A statistical arrangement is taken as a basis in the present case. The crystal structure of AB7 is a crystal structure derived from the UCr₄C₄ structure type with a higher degree of ordering.

FIG. 78 shows the arrangement of Li, Na and K within the channels of the (Li₃SiO₄) structural units for (Na_(0.25)K_(0.50)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu. The black circles represent Na atoms, the hatched circles represent K atoms and the circles enclosing white areas represent the Li atoms. The arrangement is shown along the crystallographic c-axis.

FIG. 79 shows crystallographic data of (Na_(0.25)K_(0.50)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu.

FIG. 80 shows atomic positions in the structure of (Na_(0.25)K_(0.50)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu.

FIG. 81 shows anisotropic displacement parameters of (Na_(0.25)K_(0.50)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu.

FIG. 82 illustrates the emission spectrum of the eighth exemplary embodiment AB8 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure having the molecular formula (Na_(0.5)Rb_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺. The wavelength in nm is plotted on the x-axis and the emission intensity in percent is plotted on the y-axis. For measuring the emission spectrum, a powder of the phosphor according to the present disclosure was excited with a primary radiation having a wavelength of 400 nm. The phosphor has a peak wavelength of approximately 525 nm and a dominant wavelength of 531 nm. The full width at half maximum is less than 45 nm and the color locus in the CIE color space lies at the coordinates CIE-x: 0.211 and CIE-y: 0.671.

FIG. 83 illustrates the emission spectrum of the eighth exemplary embodiment AB8 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure having the molecular formula (Na_(0.5)Rb_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺. For measuring the emission spectrum, a powder of the phosphor according to the present disclosure was excited with a primary radiation having a wavelength of 460 nm. The phosphor has a full width at half maximum of less than 45 nm, a peak wavelength of 528 nm, a dominant wavelength of 533 nm and a color locus in the CIE color space having the coordinates CIE-x: 0.212 and CIE-y: 0.686. The narrow full width at half maximum of the phosphor results in a saturated green emission of the phosphor. On account of the small full width at half maximum, the phosphor (Rb_(r*)Na_(1−r*))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or Rb_(r*)Na_(1−r*))₁Li₃SiO₄:E where 0.4≤r*<1.0, in particular (Na_(0.5)Rb_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu^(2+,) is particularly attractive for the use thereof in a conversion LED in which a narrowband emission in the green spectral range is required, as for the backlighting of LCD displays.

FIG. 84 shows a normalized Kubelka-Munk function (K/S), plotted against the wavelength λ in nm, for the eighth exemplary embodiment (AB8) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure. The phosphor according to the present disclosure can be efficiency excited with a primary radiation in the range of between 330 nm and 500 nm, advantageously 340 nm to 460 nm, particularly advantageously 350 nm to 450 nm. As a result, the phosphor is suitable in particular for backlighting applications, using a semiconductor chip with a primary radiation in the near UV range or blue range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

FIG. 85 shows a comparison of the emission spectra of the eighth exemplary embodiment AB8 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure in comparison with the conventional phosphors C1S and OS1 described under FIG. 86 .

FIG. 86 shows various optical properties of the eighth exemplary embodiment of the phosphor according to the present disclosure AB8 in comparison with conventional phosphors C1S and OS1. In this case, OS1 stands for a phosphor of the formula (Sr, Ba)₂SiO₄:Eu, and C1S stands for Ca_(7.8)Eu_(0.2)Mg(SiO₄)₄Cl₂. All three phosphors exhibit a similar dominant wavelength. In this case, however, the phosphor AB8 according to the present disclosure exhibits a significantly higher luminous efficiency (LER). This leads to an improved color saturation, as a result of which it is possible to achieve a higher color space coverage, and to an improved overall efficiency. The reason for the improved properties is the small full width at half maximum of the eighth exemplary embodiment AB8 having the formula (Na_(0.5)Rb_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ of the phosphor according to the present disclosure in comparison with the conventional phosphors. The high luminous efficiency increases the efficiency of green conversion LEDs having partial or full conversion in comparison with green conversion LEDs comprising known green phosphors having a comparable dominant and/or peak wavelength.

In FIG. 87 , the relative brightness in % is plotted against the temperature in ° C. As is evident, the exemplary embodiment AB8 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure exhibits a high thermal stability. FIG. 87 shows the thermal quenching behavior of the phosphor according to the present disclosure AB8 (represented as open squares) in comparison with a conventional phosphor OS1 of the formula (Sr,Ba)₂SiO₄:Eu (represented as filled rhombi). The phosphors were excited with a blue primary radiation having a wavelength of 400 nm for the phosphor according to the present disclosure AB8 and 460 nm for OS1 at various temperatures from 25 to 225° C. and their emission intensity was recorded in the process. It is clearly evident that the phosphor according to the present disclosure AB8 has a significantly smaller loss of emission intensity at typical temperatures that prevail in a conversion LED, in particular temperatures above 140° C. The phosphor can thus advantageously be used even at higher operating temperatures in conversion LEDs. Starting from 125° C., AB8 exhibits a significantly smaller loss of emission intensity in comparison with OS1. Moreover, AB8 at a temperature of 225° C. still exhibits an emission intensity of 90% in comparison with the emission intensity of 100% at 25° C. The emission intensity at 225° C. is more than twice as high as the emission intensity of OS1 at 225° C.

FIG. 88 shows the monoclinic crystal structure of the phosphor (Na_(0.5)Rb_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ in a schematic illustration. The black circles represent Rb atoms and the circles enclosing white areas represent Na atoms. The phosphor AB8 crystallizes in the same space group, C2/m, as the fifth exemplary embodiment (Rb_(0.5)Li_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ and the sixth exemplary embodiment (Na_(0.25)K_(0.50)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu with comparable lattice parameters. The crystal structures of the phosphors (Na_(0.5)Rb_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺, (Na_(0.25)K_(0.50)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu and (Rb_(0.5)Li_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ have the same (Li₃SiO₄) structural units. The (Li₃SiO₄) structural units are SiO₄ and LiO₄ tetrahedra, wherein oxygen occupies the corners and Li and Si, respectively, occupy the center of the tetrahedron. The occupation of the channels within these structural units is different in this case, however. (Rb_(0.5)Li_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ contains two types of channels, wherein one channel is occupied only by Rb and the other is occupied only by Li, (Na_(0.25)K_(0.50)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu also contains two types of channels, wherein one channel is occupied only by K and the other channel is occupied only by Li and Na, and (Rb_(0.5)Na_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ contains two types of channels, wherein one channel is occupied only by Rb and the other channel is occupied only by Na.

A crystallographic evaluation is found in FIG. 89 . FIG. 89 shows a Rietveld refinement of the X-ray powder diffractogram of the eighth exemplary embodiment AB8. The diagram illustrates the superimposition of the measured reflections with the calculated reflections for (Na_(0.5)Rb_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, and also the differences between the measured and calculated reflections. The phosphor is contaminated with a small proportion of Na₃RbLi₁₂Si₄O₁₆.

FIG. 90 shows crystallographic data of (Na_(0.5)Rb_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu.

FIG. 91 shows atomic positions in the structure of (Na_(0.5)Rb_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu.

FIG. 92 illustrates the emission spectrum of the ninth exemplary embodiment AB9 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure having the molecular formula (Rb_(0.25)Na_(0.75))Li₃SiO₄:Eu. The wavelength in nm is plotted on the x-axis and the emission intensity in % is plotted on the y-axis. For measuring the emission spectrum, a powder of the phosphor according to the present disclosure was excited with a primary radiation having a wavelength of 400 nm. The phosphor has a peak wavelength of approximately 473 nm and a dominant wavelength of 476 nm. The full width at half maximum is at 22 nm and the color locus in the CIE color space is at the coordinates CIE-x: 0.127 and CIE-y: 0.120.

FIG. 93 illustrates the emission spectrum of the ninth exemplary embodiment AB9 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure having the molecular formula (Na_(0.75)Rb_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺. For measuring the emission spectrum, a powder of the phosphor according to the present disclosure was excited with a primary radiation having a wavelength of 420 nm and 440 nm. In comparison with the excitation with a primary radiation of 400 nm as shown in FIG. 92 , the phosphor has an even smaller full width at half maximum of between 19 nm and 21 nm. (Na_(0.75)Rb_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ and (Na_(0.5)K_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ belong to the most narrowband Eu²⁺-doped phosphors known.

FIG. 94 shows a normalized Kubelka-Munk function (K/S), plotted against the wavelength λ in nm, for the ninth exemplary embodiment (AB9) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure, and of BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu (50 mol %) (VB1) as comparative example. The phosphor according to the present disclosure can be efficiently excited with a primary radiation in the range of between 340 nm and 470 nm, advantageously 340 nm to 450 nm, particularly advantageously 340 nm to 420 nm. As a result, the phosphor (Rb_(r*)Na_(1−r*))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or Rb_(r*)Na_(1−r*))Li₃SiO₄:E where 0<r*<0.4, in particular (Na_(0.75)Rb_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺, is suitable in particular for backlighting applications, using a semiconductor chip with a primary radiation in the near UV range or blue range of the electromagnetic spectrum. As is evident, in comparison with VB1, AB9 is able to be efficiently excited even in the blue range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

FIG. 95 shows a comparison of the emission spectra of the ninth exemplary embodiment AB9 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure in comparison with the conventional phosphors VB1 and VB4 described under FIG. 96 , at an excitation wavelength of 400 nm.

FIG. 96 shows various optical properties of the ninth exemplary embodiment of the phosphor according to the present disclosure AB9 in comparison with conventional phosphors VB1 and VB4. In this case, VB1 stands for a phosphor of the formula BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu and VB4 stands for (Ba_(0.75)Sr_(0.25))Si₂O₂N₂:Eu. All three phosphors exhibit a similar dominant wavelength and peak wavelength. In this case, however, the phosphor AB9 according to the present disclosure exhibits a significantly smaller full width at half maximum than the comparative examples.

FIG. 97 shows the tetragonal crystal structure of the phosphor (Na_(0.75)Rb_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ in a schematic illustration. The black circles represent Rb atoms and the circles enclosing white areas represent Na atoms. The phosphor AB9 crystallizes in the same space group, I4/m, as the third exemplary embodiment (Na_(0.5)K_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu^(2+.) The crystal structures of the phosphors (Na_(0.5)K_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ and (Na_(0.75)Rb_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ have the same (Li₃SiO₄) structural units. The (Li₃SiO₄) structural units have SiO₄ and LiO₄ tetrahedra, wherein oxygen occupies the corners and Li and Si, respectively, occupy the center of the tetrahedron. The occupation of the channels within these structural units is different in the phosphors. (K_(0.5)Na_(0.5))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ contains two types of channels, wherein one channel is occupied only by K and the other is occupied only by Na. (Na_(0.75)Rb_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ likewise contains two types of channels, wherein one channel is occupied only by Na and the other is occupied alternately by Na and Rb in mixed fashion.

A crystallographic evaluation is found in FIG. 98 . FIG. 98 shows a Rietveld refinement of the X-ray powder diffractogram of the ninth exemplary embodiment AB9. The diagram illustrates the superimposition of the measured reflections with the calculated reflections for (Na_(0.75)Rb_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu, and also illustrates the differences between the measured and calculated reflections. The phosphor is contaminated with a small proportion of NaLi₃SiO₄.

FIG. 99 shows crystallographic data of (Na_(0.75)Rb_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu.

FIG. 100 shows atomic positions in the structure of (Na_(0.75)Rb_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu.

In FIG. 101 , the relative brightness in % is plotted against the temperature in ° C. As is evident, the exemplary embodiment AB9 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure exhibits a high thermal stability. FIG. 101 shows the thermal quenching behavior of the phosphor according to the present disclosure AB9 in comparison with a known phosphor BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu (VB1). The phosphors were excited with a blue primary radiation having a wavelength of 400 nm at various temperatures from 25 to 225° C. and their emission intensity between 410 nm and 780 nm was recorded in the process. It is clearly evident that the phosphor AB9 according to the present disclosure has a significantly smaller loss of emission intensity at temperatures above 100° C. At a temperature of 225° C., AB9 still exhibits an emission intensity of more than 95% in comparison with the emission intensity of 100% at 25° C.

FIG. 102 illustrates the emission spectrum of the tenth exemplary embodiment AB10 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure having the molecular formula SrSiAl_(0.84)Li_(2.16)O_(1.32)N_(2.68):Eu. For measuring the emission spectrum, a single crystal of the phosphor according to the present disclosure was excited with a primary radiation having a wavelength of 460 nm. The phosphor has a peak wavelength of approximately 628.7 nm and a dominant wavelength of 598 nm. The full width at half maximum is at 99 nm and the color locus in the CIE color space is at the coordinates CIE-x: 0.617 and CIE-y: 0.381.

FIG. 103 illustrates the emission spectrum of the tenth exemplary embodiment AB10 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure having the molecular formula SrSiAl_(0.84)Li_(2.16)O_(1.32)N_(2.68):Eu. For measuring the emission spectrum, a powder of the phosphor according to the present disclosure was excited with a primary radiation having a wavelength of 460 nm. The phosphor has a peak wavelength of approximately 632 nm and a dominant wavelength of 600 nm. The full width at half maximum is at 97.7 nm and the color locus in the CIE color space is at the coordinates CIE-x: 0.626 and CIE-y: 0.372. On account of self-absorption, the emission spectrum of the powder has a smaller full width at half maximum than the emission spectrum of the single crystal from FIG. 102 .

FIG. 104 shows a normalized Kubelka-Munk function (K/S), plotted against the wavelength λ in nm, for the tenth exemplary embodiment (AB10) of the phosphor according to the present disclosure. The phosphor according to the present disclosure can be efficiency excited with a primary radiation in the range of between 340 nm and 500 nm, advantageously 340 nm to 460 nm.

FIG. 105 illustrates the emission spectrum of the tenth exemplary embodiment AB10 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure having the molecular formula SrSiAl_(0.84)Li_(2.16)O_(1.32)N_(2.68):Eu and of two further exemplary embodiments (AB-10a and AB-10b) of the phosphor having the general formula Sr (Si_(0.25)Al_(−1/8+r**/2)Li_(7/8−r**/2))₄(O_(1−r**)N_(r**))₄. The exemplary embodiments were produced like AB10; the weighed-in quantities are indicated in tables below.

Weighed-in quantities of the starting materials for AB-10a Starting Substance amount/ material mmol Mass/g NaLi₃SiO₄ 28.08 3.817 SrO 26.96 2.794 LiAlH₄ 84.25 3.192 Eu₂O₃ 0.56 0.198

Weighed-in quantities of the starting materials for AB-10b Starting Substance amount/ material mmol Mass/g NaLi₃SiO₄ 29.82 4.052 SrO 22.50 2.331 Li₃N 8.13 0.283 AlN 73.18 3.000 Eu₂O₃ 0.95 0.334

As is evident, by varying r** in the formula Sr(Si_(0.25)Al_(−1/8+r**/2)Li_(7/8−r**/2))₄(O_(1−r**)N_(r**))₄, it is possible for the peak wavelength to be shifted from the yellow into the red spectral range. A comparison of optical properties of AB10, AB-10a and AB-10b is shown in FIG. 106 . Known phosphors that exhibit emissions in this spectral range are α-SiAlON:Eu or (Ca,Sr,Ba)₂SisN₈:Eu. However, α-SiAlONs exhibit less adjustability of the peak wavelength than Sr(Si_(0.25)Al_(−1/8+r**/2)Li_(7/8−r**/2))₄(O_(1−r**)N_(r**))₄ and are thus limited in their application. Although a better adjustability of the peak wavelength is exhibited by (Ca, Sr,Ba)₂Si₅N₈:Eu, the use thereof is associated with high costs as a result of expensive starting materials, such as alkaline earth metal nitrides, and high synthesis temperatures over 1400° C. The phosphor (MB) (Si_(0.25)Al_(−1/8+r**/2)Li_(7/8−r**/2))₄(O_(1−r**)N_(r**))₄:E or Sr (Si_(0.25)Al_(−1/8+r**/2)Li_(7/8−r**/2))₄(O_(1−r**)N_(r**))₄:E where 0.25≤r**≤1 can thus be adjusted in a targeted manner with regard to the desired color locus and/or color rendering index depending on requirements or application. Surprisingly many colors of the visible range, in particular from yellow to red, can thus be generated with just one phosphor. The phosphor is suitable in particular for conversion light-emitting diodes configured to emit a yellow to red radiation or a white radiation.

FIG. 107 shows the tetragonal crystal structure of the phosphor SrSiAl_(0.84)Li_(2.16)O_(1.32)N_(2.68):Eu in a schematic illustration along the crystallographic c-axis. The hatched circles represent Sr atoms and hatched regions represent (Li,Si,Al) (O,N)₄ tetrahedra. The phosphor AB10 crystallizes in the UCr₄C₄ structure type. The Sr atoms are situated in tetragonal channels formed by the corner- and edge-linked (Li,Si,Al) (O,N)₄ tetrahedra. The phosphor crystallizes in the space group I4/m.

FIG. 108 shows crystallographic data of SrSiAl_(0.84)Li_(2.16)O_(1.32)N_(2.68):Eu.

FIG. 109 shows atomic positions in the structure of SrSiAl_(0.84)Li_(2.16)O_(1.32)N_(2.68):Eu.

FIG. 110 shows anisotropic displacement parameters of SrSiAl_(0.84)Li_(2.16)O_(1.32)N_(2.68):Eu.

FIG. 111 shows a crystallographic evaluation of the X-ray powder diffractogram of the tenth exemplary embodiment AB10. The diagram illustrates the superimposition of the measured reflections with the calculated reflections for SrSiAl_(0.84)Li_(2.16)O_(1.32)N_(2.68):Eu. The upper part of the diagram shows the experimentally observed reflections (Cu K_(α1) radiation); the lower part of the diagram shows the calculated reflection positions. The calculation was made on the basis of the structure model for SrSiAl_(0.84)Li_(2.16)O_(1.32)N_(2.68):Eu, as described in FIGS. 107-110 . Reflections of secondary phases are identified by *. The secondary phases are present in a very small proportion.

FIG. 112 illustrates the emission spectrum of the eleventh exemplary embodiment AB11 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure having the molecular formula Na_(1−y**)Eu_(y**)Li_(3−2y**)Al_(3y**)Si_(1−y**)O_(4−4y**)N_(4y**):Eu where y**=0.2224 in comparison with the first exemplary embodiment AB1 NaLi₃SiO₄. The phosphor AB11 has a peak wavelength of approximately 613.4 nm and a dominant wavelength of 593.6 nm. The full width at half maximum is at 105 nm and the color locus in the CIE color space is at the coordinates CIE-x: 0.595 and CIE-y: 0.404. The different properties of AB1 and AB11, in particular the peak wavelength shifted into the longer-wavelength range for Na_(1−y*)Eu_(y**)Li_(3−2y**)Al_(3y**)Si_(1−y**)O_(4−4y**)N_(4y**):Eu where y**=0.2224 in comparison with NaLi₃SiO₄:Eu is due to a stronger nephelauxetic effect of the nitrogen atoms surrounding the activator ions, here the Eu²⁺ ions, in the mixed phase Na_(1−y**)Eu_(y**)Li_(3−2y**)Al_(3y**)Si_(1−y**)O_(4−4y**)N_(4y**):Eu where y**=0.2224. The higher the proportion of nitrogen in the vicinity of the activator ions, the longer the peak wavelength. As a result, with increasing nitrogen content and thus with a rising value for y** in the phosphor Na_(1−y*)Eu_(y**)Li_(3−2y**)Al_(3y**)Si_(1−y**)O_(4−4y**)N_(4y**):Eu, the peak wavelength can be shifted within the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum, in particular in a range of between 470 nm and 670 nm. The phosphor (MA)_(1−y***)Sr_(y***)Li_(3−2y***)Al_(3y***)Si_(1−y***)O_(4−4y***)N_(4y***):E or Na_(1−y**)Eu_(y**)Li_(3−2y**)Al_(3y**)Si_(1−y**)O_(4−4y**)N_(4y**):E where 0<y***<0.875 is thus suitable in particular for lighting devices or conversion LEDs in which phosphors having very specific properties are required (so-called “color on demand” applications), for example for flashing lights in a motor vehicle.

Optical data for AB11 are shown in FIG. 113 .

FIG. 114 shows the tetragonal crystal structure of the phosphor Na_(1−y**)Eu_(y**)Li_(3−2y**)Al_(3y**)Si_(1−y**)O_(4−4y**)N_(4y**):Eu where y**=0.2224 (AB11) and in a schematic illustration along the crystallographic c-axis. The hatched circles represent Na/Eu atoms and the hatched regions represent (Li,Si,Al) (O,N)₄ tetrahedra. The phosphor AB11 crystallizes in the UCr₄C₄ structure type. The Na and Eu atoms are situated in tetragonal channels formed by the corner- and edge-linked (Li,Si,Al)(O,N)₄ tetrahedra. The phosphor crystallizes in the space group I4/m. The crystal structure is known e.g. for phosphors of the formula Sr[Mg₂Al₂N₄]:Eu²⁺ (WO 2013/175336 A1 or P. Pust et al., Chem. Mater., 2014, 26, 6113). Surprisingly, in the present case it has been possible to show that even phosphors having a proportion of less than 87.5% nitrogen can be synthesized and are stable.

FIG. 115 shows crystallographic data of Na_(1−y**)Eu_(y**)Li_(3−2y**)Al_(3y**)Si_(1−y**)O_(4−4y**)N_(4y**):Eu where y**=0.2224.

FIG. 116 shows atomic positions in the structure of Na_(1−y*)Eu_(y**)Li_(3−2y**)Al_(3y**)Si_(1−y**)O_(4−4y**)N_(4y**):Eu where y**=0.2224.

FIG. 117 shows anisotropic displacement parameters of Na_(1−y**)Eu_(y**)Li_(3−2y**)Al_(3y**)Si_(1−y**)O_(4−4y**)N_(4y**):Eu where y**=0.2224.

FIG. 118A shows a crystallographic evaluation of the X-ray powder diffractogram of the eleventh exemplary embodiment AB11. The diagram illustrates a comparison of the measured reflections with the calculated reflections for Na_(1−y*)Eu_(y**)Li_(3−2y**)Al_(3y**)Si_(1−y**)O_(4−4y**)N_(4y**):Eu where y**=0.2224. The upper part of the diagram shows the experimentally observed reflections (Mo K_(α1) radiation); the lower part of the diagram shows the calculated reflection position. The calculation was made on the basis of the structure model for Na_(l−y**)Eu_(y**)Li_(3−2y**)Al_(3y**)Si_(1−y**)O_(4−4y**)N_(4y**):Eu where y**=0.2224, as described in FIGS. 114-117 . The correspondence of the reflections of the calculated powder diffractogram to the reflections of the measured powder diffractogram reveals a correspondence of the crystal structure of single crystals and powders of the phosphor.

FIG. 118B shows the emission spectra of Na_(1−y**)Eu_(y**)Li_(3−2y**)Al_(3y**)Si_(1−y**)O_(4−4y**)N_(4y**):Eu where y**=0.1 (AB11-1), Na_(1−y*)Ca_(y*)Li_(3−2y*)Al_(3y*)Si_(1−y*)O_(4−4y*)N_(4y*):Eu where y*=0.25 (AB6-1; AB6-2) and Na_(1−y***)Sr_(y***)Li_(3−2y***)Al_(3y***)Si_(1−y***)O_(4−4y***)N_(4y***):Eu where y***=0.25 (AB18). A comparison of the optical properties is shown in FIG. 119 .

FIG. 120 shows an excerpt from the CIE color space. In this excerpt, the region designated by ECE corresponds to color loci for flashing lights in the exterior region of a motor vehicle in the yellow or yellow-orange color range which correspond to the ECE regulations (ECE: Economic Commission for Europe). The ECE regulations are a catalog of internationally agreed, standardized technical specifications for motor vehicles and for parts and items of equipment of motor vehicles. Furthermore, the color loci of the eleventh exemplary embodiment AB11 and of a comparative example (Sr,Ca,Ba)₂SisN₈:Eu (Comp 258) are shown. The color loci of both phosphors lie within the ECE region and are therefore suitable for the use of said phosphors in conversion LEDs for flashing lights in motor vehicles. In contrast to (Sr,Ca,Ba)₂Si₅N₈:Eu, the phosphor according to the present disclosure AB11 can be produced at lower temperatures. A yellow or yellow-orange conversion LED comprising AB11 (full conversion) is much more efficient and more temperature-stable in comparison with a yellow or yellow-orange LED, based on InGaAlP.

FIG. 121 shows the color loci of AB11 and Comp 258.

FIG. 122 illustrates the emission spectrum of a single crystal of the twelfth exemplary embodiment AB12 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure having the molecular formula SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu where x**=0.2014 in comparison with a comparative example (Ca,Sr,Ba)₂SiO₄:Eu. The phosphor AB12 has a peak wavelength of approximately 580.3 nm and a dominant wavelength of 576.5 nm. The full width at half maximum is at 80 nm and the color locus in the CIE color space is at the coordinates CIE-x: 0.486 and CIE-y: 0.506. A comparison of the optical data of AB12 and (Ca,Sr,Ba)₂SiO₄:Eu is illustrated in FIG. 123 . (MB)Li_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu or SrLi_(3−2x)**Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu where 0<x**<0.875, in particular where x**=0.2014, is suitable for use in colored conversion LEDs in which the primary radiation is completely or almost completely converted into secondary radiation and is thus usable in particular for “color on demand” applications. As illustrated in FIG. 123 , a conversion LED comprising AB12 has a higher luminous efficiency than a conversion LED comprising (Ca,Sr,Ba)₂SiO₄:Eu.

FIG. 124 shows simulated emission spectra of conversion LEDs. Emission spectra of conversion LEDs with a primary radiation of 442 nm with the twelfth exemplary embodiment AB12 and phosphors as comparative examples are shown. White emission spectra in which the overall radiation is composed of the primary radiation and the respective secondary radiation are shown. The optical data are illustrated in FIG. 125 . On account of the small full width at half maximum of AB12 in comparison with the comparative examples, the conversion LED comprising the phosphor according to the present disclosure AB12 has a higher luminous efficiency (LER) since the overlap with the eye sensitivity curve is greater than in the comparative examples. (MB)Li_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu or SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu where 0<x**<0.875, in particular the twelfth exemplary embodiment, is thus suitable in particular for use as sole phosphor in a conversion LED for generating warm-white overall radiation, in particular having a color temperature of 3400 K±100 K in combination with a primary radiation in the UV to blue range, for example with a layer sequence based on InGaN. Color temperatures of 3400 K±100 K with color loci near the Planckian locus are not achieved with the use of Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce. Although the use of modifications of Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce, such as (Y,Lu,Gd,Tb)₃(Al,Ga)₅O₁₂:Ce (FIG. 125 ), leads to the desired color loci and color temperatures, the luminous efficiency is lower than with the use of Y₃AlO₁₂:Ce and the thermal quenching behavior is higher. Orthosilicates such as (Ca,Sr,Ba)₂SiO₄:Eu are thermally and chemically less stable in comparison with Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce and additionally have a poorer luminous efficiency in comparison with a conversion LED comprising AB12.

FIG. 114 and FIG. 160 show the tetragonal crystal structure of the phosphor SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu where x**=0.2014 (AB12) in a schematic illustration along the crystallographic c-axis. The hatched circles represent Sr atoms and hatched regions represent (Li,Al) (O,N)₄ tetrahedra. The phosphor AB12 crystalizes in the UCr₄C₄ structure type. The phosphor crystallizes in the space group I4/m. The crystal structure is known e.g. for phosphors of the formula Sr[Mg₂Al₂N₄]:Eu²⁺ (WO 2013/175336 A1 or P. Pust et al., Chem. Mater., 2014, 26, 6113). The (Li,Al)(O,N)₄ tetrahedra form tetragonal channels in which the Sr atoms are arranged. Surprisingly, in the present case it has been possible to show that even phosphors having a proportion of less than 87.5% nitrogen can be synthesized and are stable. The phosphors of the formula SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu where x**≥0.1250 crystallize in this crystal type, which has been able to be shown on the basis of the exemplary embodiments AB12-1 to AB12-8. With increasing x**, the volume of the unit cell increases and the peak wavelength is shifted to longer wavelengths.

FIG. 126 shows crystallographic data of SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x)**O_(4−4x)**N_(4x**):Eu where x**=0.2014 (AB12).

FIG. 127 shows atomic positions in the structure of SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu where x**=0.2014 (AB12).

FIG. 128 shows anisotropic displacement parameters of SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu where x**=0.2014 (AB12).

FIG. 129 illustrates the emission spectrum of AB13 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure having the molecular formula (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.25)K_(0.25)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺. For measuring the emission spectrum, a powder of the phosphor according to the present disclosure was excited with a primary radiation having a wavelength of 400 nm. The phosphor has a full width at half maximum of 46 nm, a peak wavelength of 530 nm and a dominant wavelength of 532 nm. The color locus is at CIE-x: 0.222 and CIE-y: 0.647. The optical properties are similar to those of the eighth exemplary embodiment. The peak at approximately 490 nm is probably attributable to a contamination by CsNa₂K(Li₃SiO₄)₄:Eu²⁺.

FIG. 130 shows a normalized Kubelka-Munk function (K/S), plotted against the wavelength λ in nm, for AB13. The phosphor can be efficiently excited with a primary radiation in the blue range.

FIG. 131 illustrates the emission spectrum of AB14 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure having the molecular formula (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.5)K_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺. For measuring the emission spectrum, a powder of the phosphor according to the present disclosure was excited with a primary radiation having a wavelength of 400 nm. The phosphor has a full width at half maximum of 26 nm, a peak wavelength of 486 nm and a dominant wavelength of 497 nm. The color locus is at CIE-x: 0.138 and CIE-y: 0.419.

FIG. 132 shows a normalized Kubelka-Munk function (K/S), plotted against the wavelength λ in nm, for AB14. The phosphor can be efficiently excited with a primary radiation in the blue range.

FIG. 133 illustrates the emission spectrum of AB15 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure having the molecular formula (Rb_(0.25)Na_(0.5)K_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺. For measuring the emission spectrum, a powder of the phosphor according to the present disclosure was excited with a primary radiation having a wavelength of 400 nm. The phosphor has a full width at half maximum of 27 nm, a peak wavelength of 480 nm and a dominant wavelength of 490 nm. The color locus is at CIE-x: 0.139 and CIE-y: 0.313. The peak at approximately 530 nm is probably attributable to a contamination by RbNa(Li₃SiO₄)₂ or K₂NaLi(Li₃SiO₄)₄.

FIG. 134 shows a normalized Kubelka-Munk function (K/S), plotted against the wavelength λ in nm, for AB15. The phosphor can be efficiently excited with a primary radiation in the blue range.

FIG. 135 illustrates the emission spectrum of AB16 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure having the molecular formula (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.25)Rb_(0.25)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺. For measuring the emission spectrum, a powder of the phosphor according to the present disclosure was excited with a primary radiation having a wavelength of 400 nm. The phosphor has a full width at half maximum of 24 nm, a peak wavelength of 473 nm, and a dominant wavelength of 489 nm. The peak at approximately 530 nm is probably attributable to a contamination by RbNa(Li₃SiO₄)₂.

The optical properties of AB14, AB15 and AB16 are similar to those of AB9 and AB3.

FIG. 136 shows a normalized Kubelka-Munk function (K/S), plotted against the wavelength λ in nm, for AB16. The phosphor can be efficiently excited with a primary radiation in the blue range.

FIG. 137 shows the tetragonal crystal structure of AB13 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure having the molecular formula (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.25)K_(0.25)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu^(2+.) The black circles represent Cs atoms, the circles enclosing white areas represent Li atoms, the circles with ruled lines represent K atoms and the checked circles represent Na atoms. The crystal structure is similar to the crystal structure of the ninth exemplary embodiment AB9; AB13 crystallizes in the same space group, I4/m. The (Li₃SiO₄) structural units have SiO₄ and LiO₄ tetrahedra, wherein oxygen occupies the corners and Li and Si, respectively, occupy the center of the tetrahedron. (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.25)K_(0.25)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ contains two types of channels within the (Li₃SiO₄) structural units, wherein one channel is occupied by Na and Li and the other is occupied alternately by Cs and K. The arrangement of Na and Li within one channel corresponds to that of AB7. The exact arrangement of Na and Li within one channel cannot be ascertained by means of X-ray diffraction.

FIG. 138 shows the tetragonal crystal structure of AB14 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure having the molecular formula (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.5)K_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺. The black circles represent Cs atoms, the circles with ruled lines represent K atoms and the checked circles represent Na atoms. The crystal structure is similar to the crystal structure of the ninth exemplary embodiment AB9; AB13 crystallizes in the same space group I4/m. The (Li₃SiO₄) structural units have SiO₄ and LiO₄ tetrahedra, wherein oxygen occupies the corners and Li and Si, respectively, occupy the center of the tetrahedron. (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.5)K_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺ contains two types of channels within the (Li₃SiO₄) structural units, wherein one channel is occupied by Na and the other is occupied alternately by Cs and K.

FIG. 139 shows the tetragonal crystal structure of AB15 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure having the molecular formula (Rb_(0.25)Na_(0.5)K_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺. The black circles represent Rb atoms, the circles with ruled lines represent K atoms and checked circles represent Na atoms. The crystal structure is isostructural with respect to that of AB14, wherein the positions of the Cs atoms are occupied by Rb atoms.

FIG. 140 shows the tetragonal crystal structure of AB16 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure having the molecular formula (Cs_(0.25)Na_(0.25)Rb_(0.25)Li_(0.25))Li₃SiO₄:Eu²⁺. The black circles represent Cs atoms, the circles with ruled lines represent Rb atoms, the checked circles represent Na atoms and the white circles represent Li atoms. The crystal structure is isostructural with respect to that of AB13, wherein the positions of the K atoms are occupied by Rb atoms.

FIGS. 141-144 each show a Rietveld refinement of the X-ray powder diffractogram of AB13 (FIG. 141 ), of AB14 (FIG. 142 ), of AB15 (FIG. 143 ) and of AB16 (FIG. 144 ). The diagram illustrates the superimposition of the measured reflections with the calculated reflections, and also the differences between the measured and calculated reflections.

FIG. 145 shows crystallographic data and FIG. 146 shows atomic positions of AB13.

FIG. 147 shows crystallographic data and FIG. 148 shows atomic positions of AB14.

FIG. 149 shows crystallographic data and FIG. 150 shows atomic positions of AB15.

FIG. 151 shows crystallographic data and FIG. 152A shows atomic positions of AB16.

FIG. 152B shows the emission spectrum of single crystals of the phosphors AB12-1 and AB12-2 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure having the molecular formulae SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4**):Eu²⁺ where x**=0.125 (AB12-1) and x**=0.1375 (AB12-2). The optical properties are shown in FIG. 153 .

FIG. 154 shows the emission spectrum of a single crystal of the phosphor SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**) O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu²⁺ where x**<0.125. The phosphors SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu²⁺ where x**<0.125 have a smaller full width at half maximum than phosphors where x**≥0.125. The optical properties are shown in FIG. 155 . The crystal structure of phosphors of the formula SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu²⁺ where x**<0.125 is related to the UCr₄C₄ structure type, although reflections in single crystal diffraction data indicate a higher degree of ordering. This results in a crystal structure having a higher degree of ordering that is derived from the UCr₄C₄ structure type. Surprisingly, phosphors having a higher oxygen content exhibit a higher degree of ordering within the crystal structure. The smaller full width at half maximum is attributable to the higher degree of ordering of the crystal structure.

FIG. 156 illustrates the peak wavelength λpeak in nm plotted against the cell volume of the unit cell of the crystal structure of phosphors of the formula SrLi_(3−2**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu where x**≥0.1250 for powders and single crystals of SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4X**)N_(4x**):Eu having different proportions of x**. The differences in the peak wavelengths in the measurement of powders and single crystals are caused by reabsorption effects in the powder measurement, which can lead to a long-wave shift in the observed peak wavelength. The peak wavelengths can be adjusted by adapting the cell volume of the unit cell. As x** rises, the cell volume of the unit cell increases and at the same time the peak wavelength is shifted into the longer-wavelength range. Advantageously, by varying x**≥0.125, it is possible for the peak wavelength to be shifted from the green into the red spectral range. The peak wavelengths and cell volumes (V) for various proportions x** are shown in FIG. 157 . As a result, the phosphor of the general molecular formula SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu is interesting for very many applications. In particular, it is possible to provide phosphors which have peak wavelengths between those of the yellow-emitting Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce, of the orange-red-emitting (Ca,Sr,Ba)₂SisN₈:Eu and of the red-emitting (Sr,Ca)SiAlN₃:Eu.

FIG. 158 shows crystallographic data of single crystals of the phosphors AB12-1 and AB12-2 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure having the molecular formulae SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu²⁺ where x**=0.125 (AB12-1) and x**=0.1375 (AB12-2).

FIG. 159 shows atomic positions in the structure of SrLi_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):Eu²⁺ for AB12-2.

FIG. 161 illustrates the emission spectrum of AB17 of the phosphor according to the present disclosure having the molecular formula Na_(0.125)K_(0.87)Li₃SiO₄:Eu. For measuring the emission spectrum, a single crystal of the phosphor according to the present disclosure was excited with a primary radiation having a wavelength of 460 nm. The curves designated by Peak1 and Peak2 represent two Gaussian curves for describing the total emission with two emission peaks. The measured curve is congruent with the sum of the two Gaussian curves as calculated curve. The wavelength of the emission peak having the highest intensity is referred to as peak wavelength. The wavelength of the emission peak having lower intensity is referred to as relative emission maximum. The data resulting from the spectrum are summarized in FIG. 162 .

FIG. 163 shows the emission spectrum of three embodiments of the phosphor according to the present disclosure (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁Li₃SiO₄:Eu where 0.05<r<0.2 with different proportions r. These also exhibit a wide emission.

FIG. 164 shows an overview of simulated optical data of conversion LEDs. A blue-emitting semiconductor chip based on InGaN is used as primary radiation source; the peak wavelength of the primary radiation is 438 nm or 443 nm. The phosphors used for converting the primary radiation are AB17 and (Lu,Y)₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce. The comparative examples are identified by Comp1, Comp2 and Comp3 and the embodiments according to the present disclosure by AB17-LED1 and AB17-LED2. For all the conversion LEDs, the overall radiation of the conversion LEDs results from a superimposition of the primary and secondary radiations. The color loci of the overall radiation all lie in the cold-white range with color temperatures of more than 8000 K close to the locus of the Planckian radiator. Surprisingly, the embodiments according to the present disclosure have a high color rendering index where CRI>80 and R9>50, while the comparative examples only have a CRI<70 and R9<0. This is attributable to the wide emission of the phosphor AB17 from the green to the red spectral range. The phosphor (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:Eu where 0.05<r<0.2, in particular (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁Li₃SiO₄:Eu, is thus suitable in particular for conversion LEDs for general lighting. The phosphor can advantageously be used as sole phosphor in a conversion LED for general lighting.

FIG. 165 illustrates the color loci of the overall radiation of the conversion LEDs from FIG. 164 . As is evident, the color loci are all situated close to the color loci of the Planckian radiator.

FIG. 166 illustrates emission spectra of the conversion LEDs AB17-LED2 and Comp2 from FIG. 164 .

FIG. 167 shows an overview of simulated optical data of conversion LEDs. A blue-emitting semiconductor chip based on InGaN is used as primary radiation source; the peak wavelength is 443 nm, 446 nm or 433 nm. The phosphors used for converting the primary radiation are AB17 and Lu₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce. The comparative examples are identified by Comp4 and Comp5 and the embodiments according to the present disclosure are identified by AB17-LED3, AB17-LED4 and AB17-LED5. In the embodiments according to the i present disclosure nvention, only AB17 is used as phosphor, while in the comparative examples, a second, red-emitting phosphor CaAlSiN₃:Eu is used alongside Lu₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce. Surprisingly, the overall radiation of the embodiments according to the present disclosure has a very large overlap with the transmission range of standard filters and filters for larger color spaces (HCG, High Color Gamut), such that only little light is lost and the achievable color space is as large as possible. As is evident, with the embodiments according to the present disclosure having only one phosphor, it is possible to obtain a high, in some instances greater coverage of the colors of the sRBG color space than with the comparative examples in which two phosphors are used. The phosphor (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:Eu where 0.05<r<0.2, in particular (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁Li₃SiO₄:Eu, is thus suitable in particular for conversion LEDs for backlighting applications. The phosphor can advantageously be used as sole phosphor in a conversion LED for backlighting applications.

FIG. 168 illustrates emission spectra of the conversion LEDs AB17-LED5 and Comp5 from FIG. 167 .

FIGS. 169 and 170 show the spanned color spaces of the filtered overall radiation of various conversion LEDs from FIG. 167 and the overlap thereof with the sRGB color space. It is evident that a large bandwidth of colors can be rendered with the exemplary embodiments AB17-LED3 and AB17-LED5; primarily in the green corner of the spanned color triangle it is possible to attain more colors than with the exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 171 shows a unit cell of the tetragonal crystal structure of the phosphor Na_(0.125)K_(0.87)Li₃SiO₄:Eu (AB17) in a schematic illustration along the crystallographic c-axis. The closely hatched circles represent Na atoms and the white circles represent K atoms. The hatched regions represent LiO₄ tetrahedra, and the closely hatched regions represent SiO₄ tetrahedra. The LiO₄ and SiO₄ tetrahedra are corner- and edge-linked and form channels in which the Na and K atoms are arranged. The crystal structure is related to the crystal structure of AB3, AB7, AB8, AB9, AB13, AB14, AB15 and AB16.

In particular, two types of channels are contained in the crystal structure. Exclusively K atoms are arranged in the first channels, while Na and K atoms are arranged in the other channels. SiO₄ tetrahedra (closely hatched) are arranged in the form of a helix (FIG. 172 ) around the channels in which exclusively K atoms are arranged. The Na atoms (closely hatched circles), within the channels in which Na and K atoms are arranged, are surrounded by SiO₄ tetrahedra in distorted tetrahedral fashion (black regions; FIG. 173 ). FIG. 172 shows the channel containing only K atoms. FIG. 173 shows the channel containing K atoms and Na atoms. The sequence of the arrangement of the K atoms and Na atoms within the channel is NaKKKNaKKK. The illustrations of the excerpts from the crystal structure in FIGS. 172 and 173 are perpendicular to the crystallographic c-axis.

FIG. 174 shows crystallographic data of Na_(0.125)K_(0.875)Li₃SiO₄:Eu (AB17).

FIG. 175 shows atomic positions in the structure of Na_(0.125)K_(0.75)Li₃SiO₄:Eu (AB17).

FIG. 176 shows anisotropic displacement parameters of Na_(0.125)K_(0.875)Li₃SiO₄:Eu (AB17).

FIG. 177 shows a crystallographic evaluation of the X-ray powder diffractogram of the seventeenth exemplary embodiment AB17. The diagram illustrates a comparison of the measured reflections with the calculated reflections for Na_(0.125)K_(0.875)Li₃SiO₄:Eu. The upper part of the diagram shows the experimentally observed reflections (Mo K_(α1) radiation); the lower part of the diagram shows the calculated reflection positions. The calculation was made on the basis of the structure model for Na_(0.125)K_(0.875)Li₃SiO₄:Eu, as described in FIGS. 171-176 . Reflections of secondary phases are identified by *. The correspondence of the reflections of the calculated powder diffractogram to the reflections of the measured powder diffractogram reveals a correspondence of the crystal structure of single crystals and powders of the phosphor.

The present disclosure is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments by the description on the basis of said exemplary embodiments. Rather, the present disclosure encompasses any novel feature and also any combination of features, which in particular includes any combination of features in the patent claims, even if this feature or this combination itself is not explicitly specified in the patent claims or exemplary embodiments.

While the disclosed embodiments have been particularly shown and described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments as defined by the appended claims. The scope of the disclosed embodiments is thus indicated by the appended claims and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced.

The following exemplary embodiments pertain to further aspects of this disclosure:

Embodiment 1 is a phosphor having the general molecular formula (MA)_(a)(MB)_(b)(MC)_(c)(MD)_(d)(TA)_(e)(TB)_(f)(TC)_(g)(TD)_(h)(TE)_(i)(TF)_(j)(XA)_(k)(XB)_(l)(XC)_(m)(XD)_(n):E,

wherein

-   -   MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises         Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof,     -   MB is selected from a group of divalent metals which comprises         Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Mn, Eu, Yb, Ni, Fe, Co and combinations         thereof,     -   MC is selected from a group of trivalent metals which comprises         Y, Fe, Cr, Sc, In, rare earth metals and combinations thereof,     -   MD is selected from a group of tetravalent metals which         comprises Zr, Hf, Mn, Ce and combinations thereof,     -   TA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises         Li, Na, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof,     -   TB is selected from a group of divalent metals which comprises         Mg, Zn, Mn, Eu, Yb, Ni and combinations thereof,     -   TC is selected from a group of trivalent metals which comprises         B, Al, Ga, In, Y, Fe, Cr, Sc, rare earth metals and combinations         thereof,     -   TD is selected from a group of tetravalent metals which         comprises Si, Ge, Sn, Mn, Ti, Zr, Hf, Ce and combinations         thereof,     -   TE is selected from a group of pentavalent elements which         comprises P, Ta, Nb, V and combinations thereof,     -   TF is selected from a group of hexavalent elements which         comprises W, Mo and combinations thereof,     -   XA is selected from a group of elements which comprises F, Cl,         Br and combinations thereof,     -   XB is selected from a group of elements which comprises O, S and         combinations thereof,     -   XC═N     -   XD=C     -   E=Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn,     -   a+b+c+d=t     -   e+f+g+h+i+j=u     -   k+l+m+n=v     -   a+2b+3c+4d+e+2f+3g+4h+5i+6j−k−2l−3m−4n=w     -   0.8≤t≤1     -   3.5≤u≤4     -   3.5≤v≤4     -   (−0.2)≤w≤0.2 and     -   0≤m<0.875 v and/or v≥l>0.125 v.

Embodiment 2 is the phosphor according to embodiment 1, which has a crystal structure in which TA, TB, TC, TD, TE and/or TF are surrounded by XA, XB, XC and/or XD and the resultant structural units are linked via common corners and edges to form a three-dimensional spatial network having cavities or channels and MA, MB, MC and/or MD are/is arranged in the cavities or channels.

Embodiment 3 is the phosphor according to embodiments 1 or 2 claims, wherein

-   -   a+b+c+d=1     -   e+f+g+h+i+j=4     -   k+l+m+n=4     -   a+2b+3c+4d+e+2f+3g+4h+5i+6j−k−2l−3m−4n=0 and     -   m<3.5.

Embodiment 4 is the phosphor according to any of embodiments 1 to 3, which has the following general molecular formula: (MA)_(a)(MB)_(b)(TA)_(e)(TB)_(f)(TC)_(g)(TD)_(h)(XB)_(l)(XC)_(m):E,

wherein

-   -   MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises         Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof,     -   MB is selected from a group of divalent metals which comprises         Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Mn, Eu, Yb, Ni, Fe, Co and combinations         thereof,     -   TA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises         Li, Na, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof,     -   TB is selected from a group of divalent metals which comprises         Mg, Zn, Mn, Eu, Yb, Ni and combinations thereof,     -   TC is selected from a group of trivalent metals which comprises         B, Al, Ga, In, Y, Fe, Cr, Sc, rare earths and combinations         thereof,     -   TD is selected from a group of tetravalent metals which         comprises Si, Ge, Sn, Mn, Ti, Zr, Hf, Ce and combinations         thereof,     -   XB is selected from a group of elements which comprises O, S and         combinations thereof,     -   XC═N     -   E=Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn,     -   a+b=1     -   e+f+g+h=4     -   l+m=4     -   a+2b+e+2f+3g+4h−2l−3m=0         -   and

0≤m<3.5.

Embodiment 5 is the phosphor according to embodiment 4, wherein

-   -   MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises         Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs and combinations thereof,     -   MB is selected from a group of divalent metals which comprises         Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Eu and combinations thereof,     -   TA is selected from a group of monovalent metals which comprises         Li, Na, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof,     -   TB is selected from a group of divalent metals which comprises         Eu,     -   TC is selected from a group of trivalent metals which comprises         B, Al, Ga, In and combinations thereof,     -   TD is selected from a group of tetravalent metals which         comprises Si, Ge, Sn, Mn, Ti and combinations thereof,     -   XB═O.

Embodiment 6 is the phosphor according to any of embodiments 4 to 5, wherein f=g=0.

Embodiment 7 is the phosphor according to any of embodiments 1 to 5, which has one of the following general molecular formulae: (MA)₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, (MA)₁(TA)_(3−x)(TD)_(1−x)(TB)_(x)(TC)_(x)(XB)₄:E, (MA)_(1−x′)(MB)_(x′)(TA)₃(TD)_(1−x)(TC)_(x)(XB)₄:E, (MA)_(1−x″)(MB)_(x″)(TA)_(3−x″)(TD)_(1−x″)(TB)_(2x″)(XB)₄:E, (MA)₁(TA)_(3−2z)(TB)_(3z)(TD)_(1−z)(XB)₄:E or (MA)₁(TA)₃(TD)_(1−2z′)(TC)_(z′)(TE)_(z′)(XB)₄:E, wherein

0≤x≤1,

0≤x′≤1,

0≤x″≤1,

0≤z≤1,

0≤z′≤0.5

and E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Ce, Yb, Mn and combinations thereof.

Embodiment 8 is the phosphor according to any of embodiments 1 5, which has one of the following general molecular formulae: (MA)_(1−y)(TB)_(y)(TA)_(3−2y)(TC)_(3y)(TD)_(1−y)(XB)_(4−4y)(XC)_(4y):E, (MA)_(1−y*)(MB)_(y*)(TA)_(3−2y*)(TC)_(3y*)(TD)_(1−y*)(XB)_(4−4y*)(XC)_(4y*):E, (MA)₁(TA)_(3−y′)(TC)_(y′)(TD)₁(XB)_(4−2y′)(XC)_(2y′):E, (MA)₁(TA)_(3−y″)(TB)_(y″)(TD)₁(XB)_(4−y″)(XC)_(y″):E, (MA)_(1−w′″)(MB)_(w′″)(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)_(4−w′″)(XC)_(w′″):E, (MA)₁(TA)_(3−w′)(TC)_(2w′)(TD)_(1−w′)(XB)_(4−w′)(XC)_(w′):E or (MA)_(1−w″)(MB)_(w″)(TA)_(3−w″)(TD)_(1−w″)(TC)_(2w″)(XB)_(4−2w″)(XC)_(2w″):E,

wherein

0≤y<0.875,

0<y*<0.875,

0≤y′<1.75,

0≤y″≤3,

0≤w′″≤1,

0≤w′≤1,

0≤w″≤1

and E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Ce, Yb, Mn and combinations thereof.

Embodiment 9 is the phosphor according to embodiment 7, which has one of the following general molecular formulae: (MA)Li_(3−x)Si_(1−x)Zn_(x)Al_(x)O₄:E; (MA)Li_(3−x)Si_(1−x)Mg_(x)Al_(x)O₄:E; (MA)_(1−x′)Ca_(x′)Li₃Si_(1−x′)Al_(x′)O₄:E; (MA)_(1−x″)Ca_(x″)Li_(3−x″)Si_(1−x″)Mg_(2x″)O₄:E; (MA)Li_(3−2z)Mg_(3z)Si_(1−z)O₄:E; or (MA)Li₃Si_(1−2z′)Al_(z′)P_(z′)O₄:E, wherein

0≤x≤1,

0≤x′≤1,

0≤x″≤1,

0≤z≤1,

0≤z′≤0.5 and E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Ce, Yb, Mn and combinations thereof.

Embodiment 10 is the phosphor according to embodiment 8, which has one of the following general molecular formulae: (MA)_(1−y)Zn_(y)Li_(3−2y)Al_(3y)Si_(1−y)O_(4−4y)N_(4y):E (MA)_(1−y*)Ca_(y*)Li_(3−2y*)Al_(3y*)Si_(1−y*)O_(4−4y*)N_(4y*):E, (MA)_(1−y***)Sr_(y***)Li_(3−2y***)Al_(3y***)Si_(1−y***)O_(4−4y***)N_(4y***):E (MA)_(1−y**)Eu_(y**)Li_(3−2y**)Al_(3y**)Si_(1−y**)O_(4−4y**)N_(4y*):E (MA)Li_(3−y′)Al_(y′)SiO_(4−2y′)N_(2y′):E, (MA)Li_(3−y″)Mg_(y″)SiO_(4−y″)N_(y″):E, (MA)_(1−w′″)Ca_(w′″)Li₃SiO_(4−w′″)N_(w′″):E, (MA)Li_(3−w′)Al_(2w′)Si_(1−w′)O_(4−w′)N_(w′):E, (MA)_(1−w″)Ca_(w″)Li_(3−w′)Si_(1−w″)Al_(2w″)O_(4−2w″)N_(2w″):E.

wherein

0<y*<0.875,

0<y**<0.875,

0<y***<0.875,

0≤y<0.875,

0≤y′≤1.75,

0≤y″≤3,

0≤w′″≤1,

0≤w′≤1,

0≤w″≤1 and E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Ce, Yb, Mn and combinations thereof.

Embodiment 11 is the phosphor according to embodiment 7, which has one of the following general molecular formulae: (Na_(r)K_(1−r))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, (Rb_(r′)Li_(1−r′))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, (K_(1−r″−r′″)Na_(r″)Li_(r′″))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, (Cs,Na,K,Li)₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or (Rb_(r*)Na_(1−r*))₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, (Cs,Na,Rb,Li)₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E, (Cs,Na,K)₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E or (Rb,Na,K)₁(TA)₃(TD)₁(XB)₄:E,

wherein

0≤r≤1,

0≤r′≤1,

0<r″<0.5,

0<r′″<0.5,

0<r*<1

and E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Ce, Yb, Mn and combinations thereof.

Embodiment 12 is the phosphor according to embodiment 11, which has one of the following general molecular formulae: (Na_(r)K_(1−r))Li₃SiO₄:E, (Rb_(r′)Li_(1−r′))Li₃SiO₄:E, (K_(1−r″−r′″)Na_(r″)Li_(r′″))Li₃SiO₄:E, (Cs,Na,K,Li)Li₃SiO₄:E, (Rb_(r*)Na_(1−r*))₁Li₃SiO₄:E, (Cs,Na,Rb,Li)₁Li₃SiO₄:E, (Cs,Na,K)Li₃SiO₄:E or (Rb,Na,K)Li₃SiO₄:E

wherein

0≤r≤1,

0≤r′≤1,

0<r′<0.5,

0<r′″<0.5,

0<r*<1

and E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Ce, Yb, Mn and combinations thereof.

Embodiment 13 is the phosphor according to embodiment 10, which has the formula Na_(1−y*)Ca_(y*)Li_(3−2y*)Al_(3y*)Si_(1y*)O_(4−4y*)N_(4y*):E, wherein 0<y*<0.875, preferably 0<y*<0.5, and E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Mn, Ce, Yb and combinations thereof.

Embodiment 14 is the phosphor according to embodiment 10, which has the formula Na_(1−y**)Eu_(y**)Li_(3−2y**)Al_(3y**)Si_(1−y**)O_(4−4y**)N_(4y**):E, wherein 0<y**<0.875, preferably 0<y**<0.5, and E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Mn, Ce, Yb and combinations thereof.

Embodiment 15 is the phosphor according to any of embodiments 1 to 5, which has the formula (MB)Li_(3−2x**)Al_(1+2x**)O_(4−4x**)N_(4x**):E, wherein

0<x**<0.875, MB is selected from a group of divalent metals which comprises Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn and combinations thereof, and E is selected from a group which comprises Eu, Mn, Ce, Yb and combinations thereof.

Embodiment 16 is the phosphor according to any of embodiments 1 to 5, which has the formula (MB) (Si_(0.25)Al_(−/8+r**/2)Li_(7/8−r**/2))₄(O_(1−r**)N_(r**))₄:E, wherein 0.25≤r**≤1, MB is selected from a group of divalent metals which comprises Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and combinations thereof, and E=Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn.

Embodiment 17 is a method for producing the phosphor according to any of embodiments 1 to 16 including the following method steps:

A) mixing starting materials of the phosphor,

B) heating the mixture obtained under A) to a temperature T1 of between 500 and 1400° C.,

C) annealing the mixture at a temperature T1 of 500 to 1400° C. for 0.5 minute to ten hours.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   ppm Parts per million -   λpeak Peak wavelength -   λdom Dominant wavelength -   AB Exemplary embodiment -   g Gram -   E Emission -   mmol Millimol -   Mol % Mol percent -   R_(inf) Diffuse reflection -   lm Lumen -   W Watt -   LER Luminous efficiency -   LED Light-emitting diode -   CRI Color rendering index -   CCT Correlated color temperature -   R9 Color rendering index -   K/S Kubelka-Munk function -   K Kelvin -   cm Centimeter -   nm Nanometer -   °2θ Degree 2 Theta -   I, II, III, IV, V, VI X-ray powder diffractogram -   Ew White point -   KL Conversion line -   T Temperature -   ° C. Degree Celsius 

What is claimed:
 1. A phosphor having the general molecular formula: (MA)_(a)(MB)_(b)(TA)_(c)(TB)_(f)(TC)_(g)(TD)_(h)(XB)_(l)(XC)_(m):E, wherein MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof, MB is selected from a group of divalent metals consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Mn, Eu, Yb, Ni, Fe, Co and combinations thereof, TA is selected from a group of monovalent metals consisting of Li, Na, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof, TB is selected from a group of divalent metals consisting of Mg, Zn, Mn, Eu, Yb, Ni and combinations thereof, TC is selected from a group of trivalent metals consisting of B, Al, Ga, In, Y, Fe, Cr, Sc, rare earths and combinations thereof, TD is selected from a group of tetravalent metals consisting of Si, Ge, Sn, Mn, Ti, Zr, Hf, Ce and combinations thereof, XB is selected from a group of elements consisting of O, S and combinations thereof, XC═N E=Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn, a+b=1 e+f+g+h=4 l+m=4 a+2b+e+2f+3g+4h−2l−3m=0 and 0≤m<1.75.
 2. The phosphor as claimed in claim 1, wherein MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs and combinations thereof, MB is selected from a group of divalent metals consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Eu and combinations thereof, TC is selected from a group of trivalent metals consisting of B, Al, Ga, In and combinations thereof, TD is selected from a group of tetravalent metals consisting of Si, Ge, Sn, Mn, Ti and combinations thereof and XB═O.
 3. The phosphor as claimed in claim 1, wherein f=g=0.
 4. The phosphor as claimed in claim 1, which has a crystal structure in which TA, TB, TC and/or TD are surrounded by XB, and/or XC and the resultant structural units are linked via common corners and edges to form a three-dimensional spatial network having cavities or channels and MA and/or MB are/is arranged in the cavities or channels.
 5. The phosphor as claimed in claim 1, which has the general molecular formula (MA)_(a)(MB)_(b)(TA)_(c)(TD)_(h)(XB)_(l)(XC)_(m):E, wherein MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof, MB is selected from a group of divalent metals consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Mn, Eu, Yb, Ni, Fe, Co and combinations thereof, TA is selected from a group of monovalent metals consisting of Li, Na, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof, TD is selected from a group of tetravalent metals consisting of Si, Ge, Sn, Mn, Ti, Zr, Hf, Ce and combinations thereof, XB is selected from a group of elements consisting of O, S and combinations thereof, E=Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn, XC═N, a+b=1, e+h=4, l+m=4, a+2b+e+4h−2l−3m=0 and m<1.75 or 1>2.25.
 6. The phosphor as claimed in claim 5, wherein MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs and combinations thereof, MB is selected from a group of divalent metals consisting of Mn, Eu, Yb and combinations thereof, TA is selected from a group of monovalent metals consisting of Li, Na and combinations thereof, TD is selected from a group of tetravalent metals consisting of Si, Ge, Sn, Mn, Ti, and combinations thereof, and XB═O.
 7. The phosphor as claimed in claim 1, which has the general molecular formula (MA)_(a)(MB)_(b)(TA)_(c)(TC)_(g)(TD)_(h)(XB)_(l)(XC)_(m):E, wherein—MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof, MB is selected from a group of divalent metals consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Eu and combinations thereof, TA is selected from a group of monovalent metals consisting of Li, Na, Cu, Ag and combinations thereof, TC is selected from a group of trivalent metals consisting of B, Al, Ga and combinations thereof, TD is selected from a group of tetravalent metals consisting of Si, Ge and combinations thereof, E=Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn XB═O, XC═N a+b=1 e+g+h=4 l+m=4 a+2b+e+3g+4h−2l−3m=0 and m<1.75 or 1>2.25.
 8. The phosphor as claimed in claim 7, wherein MA is selected from a group of monovalent metals consisting of Li, Na, K and combinations thereof, MB is selected from a group of divalent metals consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Eu and combinations thereof, E=Eu, Ce, Yb and/or Mn TA=Li, TC=Al, TD=Si, XB═0, and XC═N.
 9. A method for producing a phosphor as claimed in claim 1 comprising the following method steps: A) mixing starting materials of the phosphor, B) heating the mixture obtained under A) to a temperature T1 of between 500 and 1400° C., C) annealing the mixture at a temperature T1 of 500 to 1400° C. for 0.5 minute to ten hours.
 10. The phosphor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the phosphor emits a secondary radiation in the blue to blue-green spectral range of the electromagnetic spectrum.
 11. The phosphor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the phosphor emits a secondary radiation in the blue to green-yellow spectral range of the electromagnetic spectrum.
 12. The phosphor as claimed in claim 1, wherein MB is selected from a group of divalent metals comprising Mn, Eu, Yb, and combinations thereof.
 13. The phosphor as claimed in claim 1, wherein MB is Eu, Eu combined with Mn, or Eu combined with Yb. 